Farmers and growers using anticoagulant rodenticide products in their operations need to be trained and certified as competent in their use under new rules, which start to be phased in from April this year.

BPCA member Bayer is a Life Science company with a more than 150-year history and core competencies in the areas of health care and agriculture.

Bayer's guidance points out that for some time in the UK there has been growing concern about the toxicity of the anticoagulant rodenticides which account for most of the baits used in the UK, as well as rodent resistance to some of these actives and their effect on the environment, particularly to raptor species at the top of the food chain.

New authorisation procedures for biocidal products including rodenticides was introduced by the EU Biocides Regulation (BPR) in 2012. The toxicity of such products and their residues in wildlife could have led to their withdrawal from the market for outdoor use all together. However the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is responsible for implementing the BPR in the UK, realised that there were no effective alternatives to anticoagulant rodenticides in controlling rats and mice.

The HSE in consultation with the industry (Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU)), has introduced a UK Rodenticide Stewardship Scheme, which aims to restrict the availability of these products to ensure they are used responsibly in order to protect their efficacy for as long as possible - while not adversely affecting non-target species such as owls, which may consume poisoned rodents.

Under the new scheme, all anticoagulant products on the market will have to have their market authorisations renewed, and from April 2016, authorised products will carry new ‘stewardship conditions' labelling. As of April 2016, users including farmers, gamekeepers and professional pest controllers, will only be able to buy the stewardship label products if they hold a certified proof of competence or are a member of an approved farm assurance scheme.

Old label products (remaining stocks) which do not require proof of competence will be available for purchase until October 1st, 2016, and can be used up until March 31st, 2017. After that date it will be illegal to use old label products.

Bayer have taken the time to educate users of such products through a guidance pamphlet and educational video.

Links

About Bayer
Bayer guidance notes
Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU)