§ Dr. David Clarkasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total number of incidents involving the misuse of poisons or stupefying substances on wildlife which have been reported to his Department in each of the last two years; for each of those totals, what was the number of cases which were referred to the police for investigation; and, of those investigations, what was the number which resulted in legal proceedings and the outcome of those proceedings.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonIn the year October 1984 to September 1985, 65 incidents involving misuse of pesticides were confirmed, 37 of these being referred to the police. One prosecution resulted, the farmer concerned being prosecuted under section 8 of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and section 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, with a fine of £20 in each case.
In the year October 1985 to September 1986, 67 incidents involving the misuse of pesticides were confirmed, 28 of these being referred to the police. No prosecutions resulted.