HC Deb 15 March 1999 vol 327 cc552-3W
Mr. Letwin

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has recorded the number of predatory birds killed by poison in the United Kingdom in the last five years. [76756]

Mr. Rooker

MAFF co-ordinates the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme which monitors the effects of pesticides on wildlife. The figures are taken from the annual publication, 'Pesticide Poisoning of Animals—Investigations of Suspected Incidents in the UK'.

This information gives details only of incidents involving pesticides, not all types of poisons. These figures represent incidents where pesticides have been identified by analysis, but which are not necessarily the cause of death.

Year Number of pesticide related incidents involving birds of prey and owls
1993 34
1994 38
1995 31
1996 42
1997 21

Note:

In addition one incident of an owl poisoned by a veterinary medicine has been recorded.

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