Autumn prosecution risk from improper rat control

PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTED ON BEHALF OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR RESPONSIBLE RODENTICIDE USE

20 July 2011                                                                                                    [c.450 words body text]

Farmers and gamekeepers are being alerted that misuse of rodenticides this autumn could put them at risk of prosecution. In particular, a new factsheet from the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) cautions that rodenticides should be used as a time-limited rather than long-term treatment. They should also be integrated with non-chemical control measures, and the treatment site must be inspected frequently for dead rodents and disturbed bait, with rodent carcases collected and disposed of by an approved method.

A rodenticide programme should have a start, middle and end, according to CRRU chairman Dr Alan Buckle. “It may last as few as 14 days and usually no more than five weeks, depending on the severity of infestation,” he says. “Products must be used strictly according to the label, alongside non-rodenticide measures including prevention of access to food sources and elimination of refuge sites. Unused bait at the end of the treatment period should be cleared away rather than left out ‘just in case’, otherwise it will inevitably be taken by non-target rodents such as field mice and voles. These in turn are eaten by predatory birds including barn owls and kestrels, and this is a prime route by which wildlife is contaminated with rodenticides.”

For disposal of dead rodents, the information sheet defines the approved methods in order of preference:

1.      On-farm small carcase incinerator, regulated under the Animal By-product Regulation.

2.      Securely bagged in domestic waste collection, subject to local authority agreement.

3.      Off-site authorised incinerator or landfill.

4.      Only when 1-3 not possible, on-farm burial away from sensitive areas and compliant with the Code of Practice for the Protection of Water.

“Improper use of rodenticides puts children, pets and wild animals and birds at risk,” Dr Buckle adds. “Farmers and gamekeepers should use protected bait stations and visit them frequently to make sure rodenticide remains inaccessible to non-target species. It is also advisable to keep a written record of the control plan from the outset, together with a detailed list of dates and actions during the treatment period.”

In the event of suspected improper use of rodenticides and depending on location and circumstances, the Health & Safety Executive and local authorities have responsibility to investigate such incidents and, where appropriate, take enforcement action against those responsible. For professional guidance, more than 80 accredited Wildlife Aware pest control technicians are listed on the CRRU website together with the CRRU code of practice and the new Environmental Information Sheet download file*.

Further information: Dr Alan Buckle, CRRU chairman, alan@alanbuckleconsulting.com, tel: +44 (0)1730 826715 or +44 (0)7881 656564.

Author & PR contact: Phil Christopher, Red Rock Publicity, phil@redrock.uk.com, tel: 07802 672304.

*www.thinkwildlife.org.uk/downloads/Environmental_Information_Sheet_for_Anticoagulants.pdf.