Official: Killing ants is punishable by law

GERHARD Schröder’s unpopular government has acted decisively to protect workers’ rights - worker ants’ rights, that is.

In an effort to protect the humble German ant from the nation’s over-zealous gardeners, 85 ant-protection officers have been appointed.

German homeowners and gardeners who attempt to destroy an ant hill or subterranean nest will be subject to hefty fines if caught.

They must now apply for a permit from their local forestry office to have the ants carefully moved to local woods.

"People with an ant hill in their garden must under no circumstances resort to the use of poison," said ant officer Dieter Kraemer. "This is a violation of federal nature protection laws and punishable with hefty fines."

He said ants are highly valued by German foresters for eating insects which attack trees. A high ant population can prevent costly and environmentally unfriendly woodland spraying aimed at pests, such as the nun moth which attacks pines and other conifers.