Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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248. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 243 of 16 June 2022, if the State bodies referenced in his response have been in contact with the European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility or other European colleagues to ensure that the most effective testing practices are in place; if meaningful conclusions can be drawn from the number of specimens tested as part of the RAPTOR protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33602/22]

Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department liaises with colleagues collaborating on the European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility. An online meeting programme, to discuss and share best practice, guidance and knowledge, is in place and met most recently in 2021.

All toxicology testing under the RAPTOR protocol is carried out by the State Laboratory. The suite of analytes tested for, where possible in toxicology analyses of specimens carried out, includes first generation rodenticides (e.g. Chlorophacinone, Diphacinone ) and second generation anticoagulant rodenticides or SGARs (e.g. Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difethialone, Difenacoum, Flucomafen).

The lowest detectible ranges of those analytes routinely tested for by the State Laboratory, using accredited methods, are described in Appendix 3 of the most recent Irish Wildlife Manual; www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM126.pdf

These specific rodenticides are tested for all bird carcases recovered in suitable condition and sent forward for toxicology testing under the RAPTOR Protocol. All results are compiled to allow for conclusions to be drawn. For example, during the period 1st January 2020 – 13th June 2022, a total of 40% of specimens tested had detectible residues of secondary rodenticides, 11% of specimens had elevated levels. Further details will be reported, as the information becomes available.