(1) It is a defence to
a charge under section 19(1) for a person to prove —
(a) that
the act alleged to constitute the offence was done while the person was
attempting to kill pests; and
(b) that
the person was attempting to kill pests in a manner that is generally accepted
as usual and reasonable for killing pests of the kind the person was
attempting to kill; and
(c) if
the animal the subject of the charge was not a pest, that the person took
reasonable steps to ensure that animals other than pests would not be harmed.
(2) In this section
—
pest means a prescribed animal, fish or
invertebrate.