EUROPEAN ANTIDOTE PROGRAMME AND ACTION PLAN AGAINST THE USE OF POISON IN EUROPE

Since 1997 the BVCF has provided consultation and training to NGOs and environmental authorities throughout Europe, to improve their effectiveness in the detection, reporting, minimising and raising awareness of the illegal use of poison in the wild. We have carried out activities in Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Greece. In order to give this work consistency and to establish it as a a permanent activity the BVCF has created a European Antidote Programme Secretariat.

This initiative is based on the experience and conclusions of the “International Congress on the Illegal Use of Poison in the Natural Environment” in 2000, promoted by the European Commission, and the Ministries of the Environment of Spain and of the Balearic Islands’ autonomous government. The Secretariat has elaborated an Action Plan against the Illegal Use of Poison in Europe which has been adopted by various national Antidote Programmes, and includes research, inspections, collecting of samples, toxicological analysis, legal actions, public awareness campaigns, further training, preventative methods, and the structuring and finance of the Progamme.

 

The European Antidote Programme Secretariat is directly responsible for the following actions:

  • Maintaining, managing and publicising the free SOS VENENO (SOS POISON) hotline in Spain
  • Consultation and testimony in judicial hearings
  • A toxicological analysis service
  • Providing training in activities against poison
  • Collaboration with the Spanish Royal Hunting Federation and other European organisations
  • Education and public awareness campaigns
  • Organization of technical conferences and Antidote Programme seminars

Since 1998, the BVCF has operated the Antidote Programme´s free telephone service SOS VENENO (SOS POISON), which enables cases of poisoning in the natural environment to be reported from any part of Spain. The reports are transmitted to the relevant authorities for immediate action. The service is an important and efficient tool for the detection of poisoned animals and bait.