Skibo employee pleads guilty to pesticide possession
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Eagles were found dead at Skibo last year
The Sporting Manager for Skibo Estate has pleaded guilty to the possession of the banned pesticide, carbofuran, at Inverness Sheriff Court and fined £3300.
Northern Constabulary's Wildlife Crime co-ordinator, Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss, said: "The Force notes the sentence handed out today to Dean Barr for the possession of the largest ever recovered amount of the banned pesticide Carbofuran.
"Experts say that the amount of poison our officers uncovered would have been enough to kill every bird of prey in the UK."The poison was discovered within premises operated and solely accessed by Mr Barr on Skibo estate land.
He added: "This was an extensive and detailed inquiry and highlights Northern Constabulary’s commitment to tackling crimes against wildlife, which the Force treats extremely seriously.
“It was found in the course of an investigation launched after the discovery of dead birds of prey, believed to have been illegally killed on the estate, including three golden eagles and a sparrow hawk and a grouse laced with Carbofuran, which was pinned to the ground by a metal spike. Undoubtedly this was a prepared piece of bait. No one has been convicted of these offences."
"Our investigation into the deaths of these birds remains open. There is no excuse for the illegal killing of some of our most iconic species.
"We will continue to deal robustly with anyone who is found to have been involved in the illegal persecution of any protected species."
Lesley Cranna, area manager for Scottish Natural Heritage told us: “This is a very worrying find for people as well as for wildlife. Tiny quantities of this poison will kill people, children, dogs and cats.
“We have to ask why anyone should be storing poison in this way and in this quantity. I am sure the owners of Skibo Estate will be extremely concerned by the outcome of this case. This estate has a large designated site of European importance for hen harriers on their ground."
Stuart Housden, RSPB Scotland Director, said: “If ever there were a more compelling reason for an individual to feel the full weight of the law in a wildlife crime case, then the conviction of Dean Barr was it. Carbofuran is a deadly and illegal substance, regularly used as a poison by those who wish harm to birds of prey in Scotland. Barr, a man who is a professional sporting manager with years of experience was found with an unprecedented amount of this banned chemical in his possession. We are pleased that the Sheriff has sent out a clear message that society will not tolerate such reckless and deplorable behaviour in the countryside.”
Police would encourage anyone who has information about wildlife crime to report it to Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
