Lowering the risk of rodenticides

Rodents can carry diseases that can harm people, cause damage to buildings and spoil foodstuffs, and rodenticides are one of the methods of controlling rodents. However, there can also be potential risks to people and the environment from the use of rodenticide products.

Health ans Safety Executive in the UK (HSE) is seeking to establish a transparent and consistent approach for applying risk mitigation measures when rodenticides are authorised in the UK. This should take into account the need to control rat and mouse infestations, and protect buildings and infrastructure while protecting humans and non-target wildlife from rodenticide exposure.

Human health risk mitigation measures and restrictions on non-professional baits

To protect people from accidental poisoning by anticoagulant rodenticides, restrictions on anticoagulant rodenticides supplied to non-professional (amateur) users.

The agreed UK position is that, subject to any additional Conditions of Authorisation specified for a particular product:

• Non-professional baits are to be supplied as inner packs or units, each containing bait for one bait point (either rat or mouse).
• Inner packs or units could be:
• Sachets of grain/granules/pellets to be cut/torn open by the user and emptied into a bait point
• Wax blocks
• Place packs or sachets of grain/granules/pellets/paste bait (either perforated or non-perforated), to be laid intact at the bait point
• Bait-filled trays with removable film lids
• Non-professional baits can be supplied in a pack containing multiple inner packs or units
• Individual bait packs for non-professional use should not exceed 1.5 kg.
• Non-professional baits for use against mice may be applied in tamper-resistant bait stations or covered bait points.
• Non-professional baits for use against rats are to be restricted to tamper-resistant bait stations.

Environmental risk mitigation measures

To protect non-target wildlife from the adverse effects of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, HSE has been working with a wide range of UK stakeholders to develop a position on environmental risk mitigation measures. In 2012 stakeholders commented on a number of proposals, including possible restrictions on outdoor use. See also:

• Consideration of the Environmental Risk from Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs)
• Environmental Risk Mitigation Measures for SGARs: UK proposals

Rodenticides and the borderline between biocidal and plant protection legislation in the EU

Rodenticide products marketed in the UK and the rest of the EU come under the remit of either biocides legislation (under Biocidal Product Type 14) or plant protection products legislation link to external website, depending on where and how they are used. Guidance on which regulatory scheme applies is provided on the European Commission’s website.