The Wildllife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) investigates potential
pesticide poisoning incidents in the United Kingdom.
Incidents in England are investigated by Natural England and in
Scotland by Science
and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA). In Wales the scheme is
run by the Welsh Assembly Government and
in Northern Ireland by the Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development.
An initial telephone interview with a Wildlife Officer is used to
record the evidence and concerns. If the Wildlife Officer suspects that
pesticides are involved and the incident is within the WIIS remit, the Officer
will arrange for the site to be inspected and the carcase and/or poison samples
to be collected for analysis.
Further action, including prosecution, depends on the findings of
the investigation.
Findings from WIIS investigations are published quarterly and an
annual report is published which collates these reports is also published. The
most recent annual (2007) summary of the Wildlife Incident
Investigation Scheme has been published here. Maps showing the regional
distribution and type of incident can be seen here. Quarterly reports showing incidents
under investigation during 2009 can found here.