Environmental Engineering Reference
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Figure 6.2b Rabbit carcass baited with blue granules and fi xed to the ground with a wire, found
in 2009 towards the west coast of Scotland
carbofuran abuse in Scotland. Twenty-one years later, in March 2009, a rabbit carcass was discovered
in a fi eld towards the west coast of Scotland (Figure 6.2b). This carcass was fi xed to the ground by
a metal wire. Once again the carcass had been opened, and a blue granular substance covered the
exposed fl esh. Analysis carried out by SASA confi rmed that the blue substance was again carbofuran.
These two incidents involving poisonous bait confi rm that the illegal practice of animal poi-
soning in Scotland persists. The Chemistry Branch of SASA has operated the Wildlife Incident
Investigation Scheme (1) (WIIS - Scotland) on behalf of the Scottish Government since the mid
1970s. The scheme, conceived to monitor any impact on wildlife, domestic animals, livestock and
benefi cial insects (e.g., honeybees) following legitimate, legal use of agricultural chemicals, oper-
ates in parallel with the provision of analytical chemistry support for wildlife crime investigations
and enforcement of a variety of legislation.
Ultimately, WIIS reveals exposure following 'approved use', 'misuse', 'abuse' and 'unspecifi ed
use' of pesticides and biocides, which can invoke investigation and enforcement of various legis-
lation. Operation of the WIIS is funded via a shared government and (pesticide) industry funding
model administered by the UK Health and Safety Executive's Chemicals Regulation Directorate (2).
6.5.2 The impact of carbofuran abuse in Scotland
Though SASA has routinely tested specimens for a wide range of chemicals under the scheme, the
most prevalent substances encountered in suspected poisoning incidents in Scotland are strychnine,
chloralose, mevinphos and carbofuran. Residues of these four chemicals have been detected in 92%
of all incidents categorised by WIIS-Scotland as 'abuse' (i.e., the deliberate and illegal attempt to
poison animals). Figure 6.3 depicts the annual detection frequency of each of these chemicals in
WIIS-Scotland incidents since measurements and records began in the early/mid 1970s.
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