Natural England

Mr Kee Chung, a resident of Bromley, Kent was today fined £3,200 with £1,600 costs after pleading guilty to 2 offences of storing and using an unauthorised pesticide known as carbofuran, following a hearing at Bromley Magistrates Court yesterday, 6 June 2007.

In March 2006 some dead foxes were found in a neighbour’s gardens.  Samples taken from one of the foxes showed that there was a significant residue of the pesticide.

Wildlife Advisers from Natural England, Police Wildlife Crime Officers from Bromley and the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit visited the area again.  After searching the rear garden of Mr Chung’s house they found some purple coloured granules in a plastic box in a shed. Analysis confirmed the pellets contained carbofuran.  Mr Chung claimed that this material was a weed killer and admitted that he had brought this in from Hong Kong.

Paul Butt, Wildlife Management Adviser with Natural England said: “This case highlights why pesticides must be properly stored and labelled.  This dangerous chemical was found in an unmarked container in an unlocked shed.  There could have been serious and possibly fatal consequences if it had been found by children or other people.  We are very concerned about toxic pesticides being brought in to the country with the express purpose of poisoning animals. This is illegal, indiscriminate and cruel.  If concentrated these chemicals are highly dangerous. If eaten, only a few grammes could prove to be fatal.  We take these matters seriously and continue to take enforcement action.”

”This incident was a joint investigation between Natural England and the police and shows how effective we are when working in partnership to tackle environmental and wildlife crime.”

Ends

Notes for editors:

• The offences prosecuted were:
  a) Without reasonable excuse using an unauthorised pesticide known as carbofuran – contrary to Regulation 4(5)(a) of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and section 16(12)(a) of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
  b) Without reasonable excuse storing an unauthorised pesticide known as carbofuran – contrary to Regulation 4(4)(a) of the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and section 16(12)(a) of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.
  
• Carbofuran is an insecticide that was banned for all uses in the UK from June 2001.  In its concentrated form it is highly toxic to animals and humans and can pose a risk if it is swallowed, contacts eyes or dust is inhaled. This pesticide has been implicated in a number of cases where illegal poisoning of animals has occurred.
  
• The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) investigates cases of suspected poisoning of wildlife and other animals by pesticides in the UK. In England this work is undertaken by Wildlife Management Adviser’s of Natural England’s Wildlife Management & Licensing Service, on behalf of the Pesticide Safety Directorate (PSD) who are responsible for policy with regard to pesticides. The public can report incidents to a freephone hotline on 0800 321600. The Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning of Wildlife is aimed at deterring the illegal and careless use of pesticides, and offers advice on legal pest control.  More information on the Scheme is available on the PSD website.
• Enquiries into incidents often involve the Veterinary Laboratory Agency (VLA) who undertake post mortem examinations on casualty animals and the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) Wildlife Incident Unit (WIU) who carry out pesticide analysis on samples obtained during investigations. Enforcement action may be taken by a number of agencies. In this case the Defra Legal Department pursued proceedings.
• Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. We increase opportunities to make the natural environment an enriching part of people’s everyday lives, and improve its long term security by contributing to the sustainable management of our natural resources.

 

For further information contact: Natural England’s Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk.