Following the recent EU Review of anticoagulant rodenticide active substances, new rules on the use of the permanent baiting technique have been adopted across Ireland.

These new rules require that the continuous use of toxic bait can now only be deployed in exceptional circumstances -

• the technique may only be deployed by Pest Management Trained Professional Users (PMUs),
• only products containing either bromadiolone or difenacoum may be used for permanent baiting when provided for on product labels containing either of those active substances,
• the technique may only be used at sites with a high potential for re-invasion when other control methods have proven insufficient (i.e. have been tried and been found to be insufficiently effective).

Because of the risks associated with the use of anticoagulant rodenticides an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) should be carried out prior to any application of these products.  This will determine which possible adverse environmental effects may occur at any specific site and allows the identification of the measures necessary to protect wildlife and the wider environment in as far as is possible.

To facilitate PMUs in conducting Environmental Risk Assessments, CRRU Ireland has developed and updated an Environment Risk Assessment Form and associated Advisory Notes.  Both documents are available for download on the resources page of the CRRU Ireland website www.crru.ie

For more information on the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use in Ireland log on to www.crru.ie  or call Eanna Ni Lamhna on 087 6147506