Figures released by the Scottish Government today show birds of prey, wild mammals, livestock and pet dogs and cats were all found to be victims of accidental or deliberate poisonings last year. As part of Scotland's Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS), a report compiled by the scientists on the government's Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) revealed an increase in the number of cases investigated in 2010. image expired

While some involved the incorrect storage and usage of approved pesticides, including a working dog being sickened by exposure to sheep dip chemicals and an unlabelled glass jar on a farm which was found to contain cyanide (an illegal and potentially lethal substance), the report also reveals a startling 22 abuse incidents involving birds of prey, including 13 buzzards, seven red kites and four golden eagles, of which only a handful of breeding pairs remain in the UK.

The illegal use of carbofuran (insecticide) accounted for more than half of all 32 abuse incidents, with nine different pesticides detected in the remaining incidents. Incidents of bird of prey poisonings remained high at 69 per cent of all abuse cases, as reflected in previous years' figures.

The Scottish Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson said, "This report highlights the devastating impact that the irresponsible abuse of pesticides can have on our wildlife. Scotland's natural environment is one of our most valuable assets and it is essential that we protect it and ensure that pesticide use is regulated appropriately. SASA plays a vital role in monitoring these incidents and helping make our countryside a safer place for us all, whilst providing crucial evidence in the fight against wildlife crime."

He continued, "The number of birds of prey which continue to be victims of deliberate poisoning does remain a concern and we will continue to use the range of measures available to combat this. Whilst I welcome a slight reduction in the overall number of abuse incidents from 2009 into 2010, there is unfortunately no change in respect of cases involving raptors. However, early indications would seem to suggest that there is a reduction this year.”

Mr Stevenson described the illegal poisonings as "A blight on our countryside," and commended efforts being made by law enforcement, countryside and wildlife bodies to reduce the number of incidents.

Commenting on the significant number of illegal poisonings of birds of prey, Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management at RSPB Scotland, said, "SASA's toxicology analysis is a vital part of the work in combating wildlife crime in Scotland. The impact of illegal poisoning on these and other bird of prey species remains a serious concern, undermining the recovery of their populations. We welcome the increased reporting by the public of potential illegal poisoning cases, and the steps being taken by Scottish landowning interests, who we are working alongside, to bear down on those who continue use poisons illegally and indiscriminately in our countryside."