Wild Animals

Pesticides, Wildlife Poisoning, and Welfare

Pesticide use in agriculture causes widespread wildlife mortality and sublethal welfare impacts across many species.

Key Facts

Neonicotinoid insecticides are linked to declining bee, butterfly, and farmland bird populations
Rodenticides including brodifacoum and bromadiolone cause slow internal bleeding deaths in raptors
Organophosphates have been linked to mass mortality events in birds in several countries
Pesticide impacts include direct death, reproductive failure, immunosuppression, and neurological damage
Integrated pest management can significantly reduce pesticide use while maintaining crop yields

Welfare Considerations

Pesticide use causes immense wildlife suffering through both acute poisoning events and chronic sublethal effects that impair reproduction, immunity, and behaviour. The welfare cost of pesticide-related wildlife harm is rarely included in agricultural cost-benefit analyses but is substantial. Reduction in agricultural pesticide use is both an ecological and animal welfare imperative.

What You Can Do

Garden without pesticides and advocate for pesticide-free land management
Support farmers who adopt integrated pest management and organic approaches
Advocate for stronger pesticide regulation that considers wildlife welfare impacts
Support research into pesticide-free crop protection alternatives
Report suspected wildlife poisoning events to authorities immediately