§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many red kites have been found dead in mid-Wales during each of the past three years; what has been the cause of death in each case; and how many prosecutions for the use of illegal poison have been taken out in the same period.
§ Mr. GristThe Department is involved only if red kites are suspected of dying from pesticide poisoning. In 1986, there were three such incidents in mid-Wales, each involving one red kite. In one case the cause of death was not established. In the other two cases the insecticide Fenthion was indentified as the cause of death and although circumstances suggested its illegal use as a poison, this could not be cofirmed. There were no cases recorded in 1987 or 1988. So far this year there have been two incidents involving two and four birds respectively and these cases are still under investigation. There have been no prosecutions in Wales for illegal poisoning of red kites since the beginning of 1986.