Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress he has made on decreasing the killing of birds of prey (a) generally and (b) by the (i) incorrect and (ii) illegal use of rodenticides.

Defra supports the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) which helps prevent and detect bird of prey crime by gathering intelligence, undertaking analysis and directly assisting law enforcers. Defra also provides funding to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme which makes enquiries into the death of wildlife that may have resulted from pesticide or rodenticide poisoning.

It is challenging to confirm whether the efforts of NWCU and partners is leading to a decrease in crimes against birds of prey as figures are not officially collected at a national level. The decision to make such offences ‘notifiable’ sits with the Home Office.

In answer to b(i), to ensure risks associated with professional use of anticoagulant rodenticides could be properly managed, the Health and Safety Executive (having policy responsibility for rodenticides) worked with the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use UK to develop an industry-led stewardship regime to promote responsible use. The stewardship scheme is overseen by Government and is currently under review.

For b(ii), it is illegal to supply rodenticides unless they are authorised, and they must only be used in accordance with the conditions of that authorisation. There are robust, multi-agency arrangements in place for taking enforcement against the misuse of rodenticides.