Field information and residue data are assessed, and where possible incidents of poisoning attributed to one of the following categories of use;

Approved use	Product used properly in compliance with the label instructions
Misuse	Accidental or wilful non-compliance with label instructions
Abuse	Deliberate attempts to poison non-target animals
Veterinary use	Any incident involving a veterinary medicine formulation

At the conclusion of each investigation, an individual incident report is issued to the person who initiated the incident and to partner organisations which participated in the investigation.

WIIS database

A database of incident information (1980 onwards) is maintained, and can be interrogated to provide information required by the Scottish Government and to service requests from other parties.

Requests for information should be directed to Mike Taylor or Elizabeth Sharp

Regulatory Action

Details of incidents where pesticides poisoning has been shown to be the cause are forwarded to the U.K. regulatory body, Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD). The data are included in annual reports on the poisoning of animals by pesticides, published by the Environmental Panel of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. In addition PSD selectively request information from the WIIS database (1972 onwards) to support the ongoing approvals review process.

Enforcement Action

Where sufficient evidence of the misuse of a pesticide formulation is accrued, then reports by SASA and by the RPID Staff may be made to the Procurator Fiscal Service with a view to prosecution. Depending on the circumstances, the Scottish Government may place a legal order on an individual requiring them to take appropriate remedial action to prevent further danger to animals.

Incidents involving the suspected deliberate abuse of pesticides are actively pursued, usually on a multi-agency basis by the RPID Staff, the Police and other partner organisations, with a view to eventual prosecution.

Pesticide Legislation