Important changes in rodenticide use by gamekeepers, farmers and pest control businesses

The UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime 2023 Annual Report, published by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use in January 2024, contains important information on changes to rodenticide use that come onto effect from July, of which gamekeepers and other authorised users need to be aware.

From 4 July 2024, it will not be permissible to buy any of the five second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) for use in open areas or waste dumps, where their use is considered to present the greatest risk of exposure to wildlife. Products purchased on or before that date will be authorised for use in open areas and waste dumps until 31 December 2024, after which their use will be illegal. From July, it will only be possible to purchase any of the five SGARs, which have the active ingredients of brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, difethiolone and flocoumafen, to treat a rodent infestation inside and around a building. 

There is currently no specific regulatory definition of a ‘building’ to assist users in understanding the permitted scope of rodenticide applications, and the report therefore contains, for the first time, an explanation specific to rodent pest control of what constitutes a ‘building’. This is a permanent fixed structure that forms an enclosure, and provides protection from the elements, which can be used to exclude non-target animals and birds from taking baits placed inside. They are usually erected on foundations, and constructed from wood, brick, concrete or metal. Temporary structures or structures that can easily be moved would not generally be considered to be buildings. The restriction, which was first announced in June 2013, is designed to strengthen rodenticide stewardship, and lead to reducing SGAR contamination in barns owls, the sentinel species for non-target wildlife.

Another major change covered by the report is that from January 2026, all buyers and users of professional rodenticide products will have to hold an approved training certificate and, if this is more than five years old, membership of a stewardship-specific Continuing Professional Development scheme. For the first time, this means that farmers, gamekeepers and pest control technicians will have to be equally qualified.

More information can be found in the CRRU’s UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime 2023 Annual Report.