| Pests
Rat control just got a bit more complicated..
Let’s assume that you have got your ‘ticket’ to continue buying and using ‘professional use’ rodenticides. Either you’ve
got one of the new ‘Certificates of Competence’ or you’re a member of one of the ‘approved’ Farm Assurance
Schemes.
hat now? Carry
on as before?
We sincerely hope
not, for if we carry
on as before, we’ll
not see the
reduction in uncontrolled leakage
of these powerful and persistent
chemicals into the environment
which almost got them banned in
the first place.
If we all agree that the label
instructions on a pesticide have to
be followed, then we all need to
know what the recent changes
actually mean in practice. They
will require changes in the useage
W
practices of all professional users.
If not, we’ll lose these products
and rat control will get a lot more
difficult and expensive.
Firstly, the labels got a whole lot
bigger, with the inclusion of the
paragraph:
Read the label before use. Using
this product in a manner that is
inconsistent with the label may be
an offence. Refer to the CRRU UK
Code of Best Practice (or
equivalent) for guidance.
In other words, the CRRU UK
Code of Best Practice is effectively
part of the label, so must be
followed.
Do you have a copy? Have you
read it? Do you understand the
practical implications of what it
says? Have you got a written
Environmental Risk Assessment
for your property? Are you
following the ‘Hierarchy of Risk’
requirements?
If you answer ‘no’ to any of the
above, then you had better get
advice as otherwise you could be
in breach of the new requirements.
Secondly, the ‘fields of use’ on
the labels – where you can or
cannot use each product – have
changed. It used to be a choice
between ‘indoors only’ and
‘indoors and outdoors’, but not
anymore. Now for ‘outdoors’ you
have to choose between products
that are approved for use ‘in and
around buildings’ and those that
have approval for ‘open areas’,
when you buy your rat bait.
Once again, if you are unsure
what these phrases mean, get
advice, otherwise you could be
breaking the Law.
But does this all actually matter?
Who is going to know what you
are doing on your own property,
other than perhaps your Farm
Assurance auditor on his annual
visit?
Well, a key measure of success
– or failure – of the Rodenticide
Stewardship Regime, will be the
results of anticoagulant residue
analysis of non-target animals,
especially from Barn Owls. The
industry is expected to provide
data from at least 100 owls per
year and the HSE are expecting to
see a ‘significant reduction’ in
residue levels as a result of these
new requirements.
As most owls die from road
traffic accidents, these bodies will
tend to be on or near public
highways and high residue levels
will trigger a Wildlife Incident
If we all agree that the label
instructions on a pesticide have
to be followed, then we all need
to know what the recent
changes actually mean in
practice.
Investigation. If you are unlucky
enough to be nearby, you will be
investigated. What will they find?
Proper use of rat bait, properly
documented, or what….?
One option, of course, is to
employ a properly qualified,
experienced and insured
professional pest controller to take
over the increasingly complicated
rodent control on your farm.
The author is a Director of the
National Pest Technicians
Association. Telephone 01773 717
716 for assistance in finding an
NPTA Member near you.
Label changes imminent
Pest controllers and farmers are being reminded that all
product labels of ‘Second Generation Anti-coagulant
Rodenticides’ (SGAR’s) will need to be revised this year,
in line with CRRU (Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide
Use).
roduct labels will
include a new
‘stewardship
phrase’ stating
that it can only be
applied by certified
individuals, who are able to
demonstrate compliance with UK
rodenticide stewardship.
And leading the way in the roll
out of this change is Bayer, the first
company to amend all labels for
their entire range of second
generation rodenticide products.
Four products that make up the
Bayer Rodilon® range will all
come to the market at the same
time with this stewardship
message, during July.
“We know our products are
essential to rodent control but we
P
understand the need to address
the wider environmental impact, in
an industry led solution to
responsible rodenticide use,” says
Richard Moseley, technical
manager, Bayer.
“We work very closely with
CRRU and our commitment to
rodenticide stewardship is crucial
to ensuring that our products are
used in the most responsible way
possible,” he adds.
Remaining stocks of old label
products that do not require proof
of competence will be available for
purchase until 1 October 2016,
and can be used up until 31 March
2017. After that date it will be
illegal to use old label products.
July 2016 | Farming Monthly | 09