Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme
The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) investigates the deaths of wildlife, including beneficial insects and some pets, throughout the UK where there is evidence that pesticide poisoning may be involved.
The Scheme is used to monitor pesticide use after approval, so that product approvals can be revised if necessary. It also provides a measure of the success of the pesticide registration process, and helps in the verification and improvement of the risk assessments made in this process.
WIIS has a long association with the Wildlife Incident Unit at the The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA). They use their expertise to analyse a variety of animal tissues, including gut contents, vomit, faeces, blood, urine, liver, kidney and lung.
Evidence from the Scheme can also be used to enforce legislation on the use of pesticides and the protection of humans, food, the environment and animals.
Major Scheme Publications Produced Since 1976
Long-term Review of WIIS Information for data in England and Wales
FERA has produced a report of long-term review of WIIS data in England and Wales. The WIIS data FERA used stretches from the mid 1980s to 2005 and has been amalgamated into a single data set and displayed in suitable geographical forms for assessment of long-term changes.
Annual Report: "Pesticides Poisoning of Animals"
The results of the enquiries made by WIIS are published annually.
The 2007 report is available only from the CRD website. No published bound copies are available, however if you want a printed off version telephone 01904 455739
Previous reports (up to and including the report for 2003) are available from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX (Tel: 08459 556000). The reports for 2004 to 2006 are available from CRD.
Reports for 1998 to 2007 inclusive are available for download
The latest report - for 2007 - was published on 16 December 2008.
Quarterly Reports: "Pesticides Poisoning of Animals"
The results of the enquiries made by WIIS are published quarterly.
WIIS Maps
Maps (pdf, 3 pages) have been produced displaying all the closed pesticide incident cases in England, Wales and Scotland for 2007. There are three different maps showing information by: 'Category', 'Pesticide' and 'Animal'.
Northern Ireland cases have not been included as there were only six cases. Two of the cases were in county Tyrone, two were in county Armagh, one was in county Londonderry and one was in county Fermanagh.
How the Scheme Works
Report suspected incidents to 0800 321600 (calls are free).
Where poisoning is suspected, a combination of field work, veterinary examination and chemical analysis is used to try and determine the underlying cause of death.
The Scheme operates independently, but on similar lines, in the four countries of the United Kingdom.
'Incidents Involving Pesticides and Animals' (pdf, 8 pages) explains how WIIS works in England - how it is organised, how to report an incident, where to report it and what happens afterwards. It is sent to people who report suspected poisoning incidents.
In Wales, WIIS is run by the Welsh Assembly Government.
In Scotland, WIIS is run by the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture(SASA).
In Northern Ireland, WIIS is run by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Feedback
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The Wildlife Incident Unit at the The Food and Environment Research Agency(Reporting an Incident)
The Wildlife Incident Unit at the The Food and Environment Research Agency(WIIS)
British Association for Shooting and Conservation
Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning of Wildlife