Significant progress is being made in relation to the UK’s rodenticide stewardship according to the regime’s first annual report which has just been published.
Already welcomed as “the end of the beginning” by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU), the report identifies the work that has already being carried out while also emphasising that much remains to be done.
“The regime provides a robust system to control rodenticide availability and develop universal and permanent responsible use,” said CRRU chairman, Dr Alan Buckle. “Clearly, however, the regime is in its early stages.
“If stewardship achieves its purpose, with compelling evidence that professional rodenticides can be used without unacceptable effects on the environment, the products (currently in use) will remain available. Otherwise, we must anticipate further restrictions on where rodenticides can be used and by whom.”
Annual report highlights include:
- Publications: Code of best practice for rodent pest management; detailed guidance on permanent baiting; updated environmental risk assessment guidelines with client service pro-forma.
- Proof of competence: Audit of certifications/qualifications; review of farm assurance schemes for equivalence to certification of competence.
- Product regulation: Orderly and timely transition from old scheme to new one based on ‘stewardship conditions’ product labels.
- Point of sale: Procedures to check purchaser competence at outlets supplying professional rodenticide products for use outdoors.
- Surveys: In addition to August 2015 KAP, baseline of rodenticide residues in barn owl livers, and breeding parameters in selected owl populations.
- Communication: Sequence of information disseminated to all rodenticide user sectors.
Download the report from thinkwildlife.org