§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list for each of the last five years the number of cases of wildlife poisoning in England caused by the illegal use of pesticides or poisons; and if he will identify the species involved; and if possible the poison or pesticide involved.
§ Mr. RyderI have been asked to reply.
Incidents involving the poisoning of wild birds and mammals by pesticides are investigated through my Department's Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme. The number of incidents (and the chemicals involved) in England, during the period 1984–88, in which the deaths of wild birds and mammals were attributed to the deliberate abuse of agricultural pesticides are listed in Table one.
However, it should be noted that it is not always possible to determine whether incidents were due to accidental misuse of deliberate abuse.
The species involved in these incidents were:
Mallard, Red Kite, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Kestrel, Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Moorhen, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Feral Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Raven, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie, Jay, Blackbird, Robin, Starling, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Yellow Bunting.Fox, Badger, Hedgehog.779W
Table one Pesticide 1984 1985 1986 1987 19881 Mevinphos 12 12 20 10 10 Alphachloralose 18 11 18 12 13 Strychnine 4 4 3 3 4 Endrin 4 2 0 1 0 Rodenticides 2 0 4 2 7 Aldrin 1 0 0 0 0 Demeton-S-methyl 0 1 0 0 0
Pesticide 1984 1985 1986 1987 19881 Triazophos 0 0 1 0 0 Total 41 30 43 27 33 1 Data provisional as some incidents still being investigated.