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<p>The Government strongly condemns the use of any poisons targeted at our protected
species. Those found guilty of such illegal activities can expect to face the full
force of the law, including potentially severe fines and custodial sentences.</p><p>All
vertebrate wildlife is subject to general welfare protection under the Animal Welfare
Act 2006. Methods of killing or taking not involving poisons are also regulated by
legislation; for example, the Pests Act 1954 prohibits the approval of any type of
leghold trap or the use of unapproved spring traps.</p><p>There are strict regulations
in place in Great Britain (GB) to ensure that when chemical products for pest control
are used properly, they do not harm people, pets or the wider environment, including
protected species. Products must be authorised before they can be made available on
the market and must be used in accordance with the conditions of that authorisation</p><p><br>It
is a criminal offence to fail to comply with the laws that regulate the supply of
chemicals in GB, or to use chemicals in a way which harms people, pets, protected
species or the wider environment, with penalties that may lead to unlimited fines
or imprisonment.</p><p>There are robust, multi-agency arrangements in place for enforcing
the illegal supply and use of chemicals which include the Health and Safety Executive,
the Environment Agency, the police and local authorities, with the illegal poisoning
of protected species investigated by a dedicated Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme.</p>
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