FAQ on 'Enforcement of Pesticides'

Q1. How do you make sure that the controls on pesticides are followed?

Q2. Are pesticides that are already in use checked for safety?

Q3. My animal may have been affected by pesticides. What should I do?

Q4. What is the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS)?

Q5. What is the Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning?

Q6. My Family has been affected by spraying, what should I do?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do you make sure that the controls on pesticides are followed?

We make sure that the controls on pesticides are followed in several ways.

• We publish guidance on how to use pesticides safely, this includes the Code of practice for using plant protection products.
• Regular surveys are carried out by the independent Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF). They check that the amount of pesticides left in food once it is on sale (pesticide residue levels) are within legal limits ('Maximum Residue Levels'). This can also show if pesticides were used properly during production of the food. If we think there may be a problem we will carry out further detailed surveys of a particular type of food. Enforcement Monitoring Maximum Residue Levels.
• If you think that pesticides may have caused harm to people, animals or the environment you can report the incident. Contact telephone numbers for reporting incidents.
• Incidents involving pesticides are investigated by officers from the relevant government departments or the local authority depending on the type of incident. Further information on Reporting Incidents.
• Where there is evidence that harm was caused by someone using pesticides incorrectly we will take enforcement action. This could range from a warning letter or an enforcement notice (a legal requirement to stop illegal activities) to a prosecution which could lead to a fine of up to £5000 for each offence. Further Information on Enforcement.

Q2. Are pesticides that are already in use checked for safety?

Yes, there are a number of ways in which 'approved' pesticides (those with a government license) are checked.

• The EU has set up a review programme for pesticides to check that all approved pesticides meet modern safety standards. Only pesticides that meet these standards can stay on the market. CRD is helping with this review. We have also done our own review of older pesticides. Further Information on EU Review.
• CRD carries out regular surveys of pesticide residue levels in food. Enforcement Monitoring.
• The Drinking Water Inspectorate checks pesticide residue levels in water.
• The Pesticide Incidents Appraisal Panel monitors health complaints in humans associated with pesticides. PIAP latest report.
• The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme monitors poisoning of wildlife and pets.
• If authorisation holders (owners of a pesticide authorisation hear about any 'adverse data' (where their pesticides have caused harm) they must pass this information on to us. We will then look at this new information and decide whether there are unacceptable risks to people, animals or the environment. If so, we will 'restrict' (limit) or withdraw the approval for the pesticide.

Q3. My animal might have been affected by pesticides. What should I do?

You should phone the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) on freephone number 0800 321600. They will take details of the incident and then investigate it for you.

Q4. What is the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS)?

The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) looks into the deaths of wildlife and pets which may have been caused by pesticides. Where we can show that people used pesticides illegally and that this caused the poisoning, we will prosecute the offenders.

The results of investigations made under WIIS are published each year in the Pesticide Poisoning of Animals report.

Q5. What is the Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning?

The Campaign Against Illegal Poisoning (CAIP) was set up to protect wildlife, including our rarest birds of prey, from pesticide poisoning. The campaign aims to persuade people not to abuse pesticides by:

• advising farmers, gamekeepers and other land managers on legal ways of controlling pests;
• advising the public how to report illegal poisoning incidents; and
• investigating incidents and prosecuting offenders.

Organisations which support the campaign include:

• The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB);
• Natural England;
• the Countryside Alliance; and
• the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Q6. My family has been affected by spraying, what should I do?

If you believe the use of pesticides has affected anyone in your family, wildlife or the environment, you can report it. We explain how to report your incident on our website on the following page:

Link to information on Reporting incidents