§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about recent incidents of poisoning of dogs caused by agricultural pesticides in East Lothian.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythOn 12 November The Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department (SOAFD) learnt that a number of pet dogs had died or been taken ill apparently after eating blue coloured pellets in Niddrie walkway, Muckletts road, Musselburgh. The total number of reported deaths is seven.
419WAnalysis of the stomach contents of three of the dogs carried out by the Department's scientific staff indicates that they died from metaldehyde poisoning.
The police cordoned off the main extrances to the walkway and warning notices were posted by the environmental health department of East Lothian District Council. SOAFD also issued a notice of requirement under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 directing the farmer concerned to search for and remove molluscicides from the area and its adjacent boundaries.
A full report on the incident leading to the deaths of the dogs is being prepared and will be submitted shortly to the procurator fiscal.