§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the labelling of rodenticide products in respect of the danger they pose to barn owls; and if he will make a statement. [145456]
§ Mr. MullinThe use of rodenticides is controlled to limit the risk to birds of prey, including barn owls. The labels of all anticoagulant products require users to prevent access to bait by birds and non-target animals, and to search for rodent bodies and the remains of baits and to dispose of them safely. The use of the more potent products is restricted to professional users, for indoor use only. The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides recently agreed that the current labelling policy should continue.
HSE has produced a guidance sheet on the safe use of rodenticides, and MAFF is currently preparing a guidance document on rodenticide use. MAFF is also funding research into the effects on predatory birds from the use of anticoagulant rodenticides in rural areas, which should provided a better basis for assessing the potential for secondary poisoning. HSE is conducting discussions with interested parties, including English Nature and the RSPB, on action that might be taken to protect further birds of prey.