A farm manager has pleaded guilty to possessing a highly toxic pesticide that has been banned in the UK for 11 years.
Tom McKellar, 50, admitted possessing carbofuran at Oban Sheriff Court. The offence occurred on the Auch estate, through which walkers on the West Highland Way pass.
The case resulted from the discovery by hillwalkers of the body of a golden eagle on the slopes of Beinn Udlaidh, near Bridge of Orchy, in June 2009.
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland investigations staff, accompanied by a wildlife crime officer from Strathclyde Police, retrieved the body as evidence.
Tests by the Scottish Government laboratories revealed that the adult golden eagle had been poisoned with carbofuran, which has been illegal to possess or use in the UK since 2001.
A search of land and buildings on the Auch Estate, led by the police, with the assistance of RSPB Scotland, Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Scottish Government and the National Wildlife Crime Unit, revealed a dead fox, confirmed as poisoned, and a sheep carcass laced with carbofuran.
At the hearing, procurator fiscal Kate Fleming said McKellar had admitted to police that a gamebag found on the porch of his home with a container holding carbofuran belonged to him. He also admitted that he set out meat laced with the poison as bait for foxes.
The trial will resume on 29 May after social enquiry results have been prepared.
OutdoorsAndy
20 April 2012The punishment for this crime will not fit its magnitude. A disgraceful act of natural vandalism. When I see an eagle out walking it lifts my spirit and always makes for a memorable day. They spoil the natural world for most for the sad enjoyment of the very few. I hope the estate perishes as a result. These people earn their livings through killing. I have no problem with hunting, but the face of hunting seems to have turned into one of killing for killings sake. A shame on all who engage in such activities.
On a positive note, well done to the authorities . However, such obvious usage and storage is concerning, as it suggests that these thugs think they are beyond suspicion. This practice I fear is widespread among such communities, a problem which will seemingly not be consigned where it belongs, to the shameful parts of our history.
Realistic Ross
20 April 2012Andy you havent a clue what you are talking about dreaming as you do with your head in the clouds. The Scotland that eagles populate today has a much higher carrying capacity for these birds than was the case of old when the glens were wooded. When will we have enough eagles? When should the population be controlled? The ecosystem in Scotland is entirely out of whack especially because of the large numbers of herbivores at large so focussing fanatically on one element of the ecosystem is rubbish.
On another aside I know Tom McKellar personally and he is a local hero who saved passengers after a train crash in the area. His trouble is that he has lived too long in them thar hills and doesnt feel a part of society anymore. But the poor fellow is going to be made the victim of a witch hunt because he was trying to protect the animals which he farms.
R Webb
20 April 2012Someone has been convicted of a crime - this is not a "witch hunt", this is the law.
However out of whack things are, there is no justification for careless abandonment of dangerous chemicals. There is no "fanatical focus" - these things are indiscriminate and while nobody notices it when the intended target is poisoned, take out an eagle and it can be a bit of a giveaway.
We had a pair of golden eagles in Peeblesshire once.
OutdoorsAndy
21 April 2012Ok Ross, lets look at me “not knowing what I am talking about”. To start with I am born and raised in the country and have lived there nearly all my life. I live and work in a rural area, (the North Yorkshire Moors). Many of my ancestors where farmers, as are many of my friends, (which also includes hunters and foresters). I have made an amateur study of the environment since around 16, (I am 38) and hold a Bsc (hons), amongst other science based qualifications.
You are of course correct; Scotland’s natural environment has changed much over the last 200 years, mainly due to manmade intervention. It has a number of issues, including the much publicised herbivore over population. I have never seen any science based (or otherwise), article to suggest that the population density of Golden Eagles has grown to environmentally unstable levels. They remain as a species on the EU amber endangered list. Interestingly, they also predate the herbivores you allude to being overpopulated, including Red Deer, rabbits and hares (McGrady et al 1997), (that’s a scientific reference by the way Ross). But unfortunately for them, also Black Grouse. And here lies the reason for their persecution, the taking of game birds. The Auch estate is a hunting estate. Funny that isn’t it? (I will not comment further on herbivore control and the state of the wider Scottish environment due to it been a little off topic, just to say I find the irony of your previous statement, about myself not knowing what I am talking about almost funny).
So as can be seen, their populations are NOT large, but in fact small. As for when the population should be controlled, is this for people like McKellar to decide? Or for wider society using scientific method to establish this from an objective basis? I would argue the latter.
Carbofuran is a very nasty chemical and was banned for good reason. Not only is it toxic to humans, (in small quantities too), it can also cause infertility. Its indiscriminate use is a danger to all, not just wildlife. I can only hope it was stored correctly. But given the way it was used I sadly doubt this.
Finally, I was a nurse for 11 years. I worked with seriously and terminally ill people. I did voluntary work for a local disabled charity. Does this mean I can now commit crimes without punishment? Can I now kill my neighbour’s dog for barking in the night and point to this good service as an excuse? No, of course not. One good deed dose not forgive a bad. Perhaps you should do some reading on the subject of ethics, which might make you more Realistic, Ross.
I guess I am a dreamer, in that I dream of a society where nature is given room to breathe and we learn to respect the environment in which we live and ultimately depend on for survival.
Gwyliwr
22 April 2012Andy is right. There is no conceivable excuse for the wanton killing of birds of prey.
If, like me, you despise the ignorant Neanderthals who do this sort of thing, and their just as ignorant supporters such as 'Realistic' Ross, please help to do something about it.
Offences of this sort are often carried out under the direction of employers or others who have a vested interest. Scottish law provides for the prosecution of these people.
English law does not. It would greatly strengthen the work of the police and of organisations such as the RSPB if this power was available in England.
Please sign the e-petition on this subject at
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/23089
Bill Walker
22 April 2012I have walked extensively in the Scottish hills for six years and have frequently been struck by the bleakness of many barren sporting estates where all varieties of wildlife are sadly conspicuous by their absence. Thankfully many estates do respect and encourage wildlife and welcome responsible walkers, however there are still too many who persecute our wildlife and think they can do so with impunity. I have no doubt that Tom McKellar is a decent man in most respects and that he would never consciously harm another human being but the message must go out quite clearly from the courts that the use of such indiscriminate poisoning of wildlife can no longer to be tolerated in a civilized society. There will always be conflicts of interest where the environment is concerned and all parties should act with respect for others. Depriving others of the pleasure of seeing a magnificent bird like the Golden Eagle in flight is shocking and unacceptable. Wildlife Crime Legislation has been in place long enough to inform and forewarn those who would transgress, if they continue to offend the penalties handed down must be severe.
PJ
31 May 2012I also know Tom and he is not being charged with the killing of the Eagle which was found quite a few mile from the farm. If the Eagle had eaten contaminated meat from his farm it would not of been able to fly over 3 miles where it was found.
Tom is being charge with having an illegal substance which was marketed as a slug pellet, which who is to say we don't have in our garden sheds!
So all of you who are condemning Tom for killing an Eagle, sorry get your facts right as the killing of the Eagle has nothing to do with his charges.
D1096
13 July 2012Well said 'PJ'
I also know Tom and I am aware this poison was found in slug pellets, as you said many of us could have this in our very own position and not be aware. So yes, a very small amount of Carbofuran is extremely dangerous but you would have to have taken a full bottle of slug pellets for it to even to make an affect on you!
Don’t believe everything you read in the papers, for example a few papers had noted that Tom was also in position of illegal guns, but what it doesn’t say is that Tom was the one who told the police they where there and they must have been owned by a previous owner, so in my eyes that is a good Samaritan, not a criminal!
So yes get your facts right before you put you opinion across!!