Latest News from BPCA

11 February 2019

Some progress but early days for rodenticide stewardship on farms and game shoots

Rat control is changing for the better on UK farms and game shoots reports the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU).

From 2015 to 2017, a detailed independent study has found planned prevention of infestations is taking over from control in reaction to the presence of rats.

It finds gamekeepers leading the way, their use of a planned approach increasing from 30% to 59% over the two years. Among farmers, the less desirable option of reactive control has declined from 43% to 38%.

Game-keepers consider permanent baiting essential today

The period covered is one-year pre- and one-year post-introduction in October 2016 of the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime, which commissioned the work.

Stewardship spokesman and Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use chairman Dr Alan Buckle applauds the progress but also cautions that it needs to accelerate if lower rodenticide levels in wildlife are to be detected in time for the Government's formal review of stewardship in 2020. He said: 

"Underpinning the positive progress identified, the study also reports that farmers' and gamekeepers' understanding of poor practice, which leads to environmental risks, has increased.

"Another indicator of improving practice is declining use of permanent baiting with rodenticides. Significantly fewer gamekeepers employ this practice, down from 44% to 25%. The shift by farmers is much less dramatic, from 39% to 37%".

While both groups are going in the right direction, this is a concern if one-in-four gamekeepers and one-in-three farmers still consider routine permanent baiting essential today. It is no longer an option under the stewardship regime and new farm assurance standards so needs eliminating as a routine measure by all users.

Dr Alan Buckle, CRRU

Dr Buckle emphasises that the government panel overseeing rodenticide stewardship is concerned not only with changes for the better in control practice but also, more importantly, measurable downward movement of rodenticide residue levels in non-target animals.

"Without such evidence," he adds, "we should anticipate further restrictions on where rodenticides can be used, and by whom. Clearly, this places responsibility squarely in users' own hands."

Source: Online

Highlights View all news

11 June 2025

Latest news

Spending Review 2025: Key announcements at a glance and how it might affect pest management

BPCA has been closely monitoring the announcements, and although pest management wasn’t directly addressed, several changes may have implications for the sector.

Read more

06 June 2025

Latest news

Results are in: meet your new BPCA Board representatives 2025

Six new Member Directors have been chosen to help lead the Association and represent the interests of BPCA members at the highest level.

Read more

29 May 2025

Latest news

VOTING OPENS in BPCA member elections - 13 candidates stand for SIX places on BPCA Board

Voting has officially opened in the BPCA Member Elections 2025, with 13 nominees standing for SIX open seats on the Executive Board.

Read more
Latest View all news

30 July 2025

Latest news

Free disease training day for live bee removers

BPCA members are invited to join the UK Bee Removers (UKBR) for a free disease recognition training day this August.

Read more

29 July 2025

Latest news

New sustainability guidelines help pest control companies stay competitive in a carbon-conscious market

BUGS releases second edition of industry roadmap aligning pest management with business demands for carbon neutrality.

Read more

28 July 2025

Latest news

Air gun safety reminder after media reports of pigeon incident

You may have been made aware that the BBC reported an incident where a pigeon was found seriously injured in Glenfield, Leicestershire, having been shot with an air gun.

Read more