Employer prosected for Rodenticide offences resulting in the death of two Buzzards

An investigation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Norfolk constabulary into the death of two buzzards has led to a successful prosecution under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 for an offence relating to the use of pesticides.

Miss Rosalyn Vincent was convicted at Swaffham Magistrates Court for failing to train her employee in the safe use of pesticides. Miss Vincent was fined £2,000 and £400 costs.

On 26th December 2004 and 4 January 2005 two dead buzzards were found in a wood in Carbrooke, near Watton, Norfolk. The buzzards were analysed and found to contain high levels of a pesticide used in rodenticide products called difenacoum.

This is a case of secondary poisoning as the buzzards had fed on rats that were either affected by the rodenticides or had been killed by it. It was established that the gamekeeper in Miss Vincent's employment had been laying rodenticide baits to protect the estate pheasants from rats. However, he had not searched for any of the dead rats and disposed of them safely. As a result the buzzards were indirectly poisoned by feeding on the rodent bodies that had not been cleared away. The gamekeeper had not received any training or direction from his employer in the safe use of rodenticides.