HC Deb 13 July 1982 vol 27 cc314-5W
Dr. John Cunningham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many cases of deliberate poisoning of birds and mammals were notified to his Department in 1981; how many involved alpha chloralose, mevinphos and strychnine, respectively; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many cases of deliberate poisoning of birds and mammals were investigated in 1981; by whom the investigations were carried out; how many prosecutions were taken; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Fenner

I refer the hon. Member to the reply gave him on 2 April—[Vol. 21, c. 209–10.]—which included the total number of cases of alleged poisoning of birds and mammals by pesticides notified to my Department in 1981. 101 of these were confirmed after investigation by Ministry field and laboratory staff as involving the misuse of pesticides, and 41, 38 and 19 involved the misuse of alpha-chloralose, mevinphos and strychnine respectively.

No prosecutions were taken by my Department.

Dr. John Cunningham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration he has given to the statutory forensic marking of alpha chloralose, mevinphos and strychnine; whether he regards such markings as practicable; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Fenner

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment on 30 April relating to the Government response to a report by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds "Silent Death". The Government response details the measures being considered to minimise the scope for misuse of these pesticides.

Dr. John Cunningham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what action was taken in 1981 by his Department in cases of deliberate poisoning of birds or mammals reported to his Department where abuse of poisons was established but where no prosecution was taken;

(2) what procedure is followed by his Department when cases involving the suspected deliberate poisoning of birds and mammals are reported to it; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Fenner

Officials of my Department investigate all reported cases involving the alleged poisoning of birds and mammals by pesticides. They provide evidence to the police in cases where the investigations suggest that there has been deliberate misuse of poisons and where there may be scope for prosecution. In addition the Ministry's diagnostic and analytical services for suspect carcases are made available to the police, RSPB and others. It is normal practice to notify the occupier where an incident occurs on his land.