The Department of Agriculture has set up a register of pest management trained professional users (PMU) to ensure that rodenticide products are being used in a safe and sustainable way to prevent secondary poisoning of non-target animals and development of resistance.

Environmental risk assessments have shown that the use of anticoagulant rodenticides outdoors present a higher risk to non-target animals than would normally be considered acceptable.

From 1 January 2018, anybody offering a service for the control of rodent infestations using products authorised for use only by trained professionals outdoors, in open areas and in sewers will need to provide proof of competence purchasing rodenticides for use in the course of their work.

This proof will be their pest controller number (PMU number). For anyone offering this service, they will be required to undergo relevant training before they will get their PMU number.

Farmers already trained

The Department requires professional users such as farmers using these products for the control of rodent infestations in the course of their work in and around buildings to provide proof of their professional activity at the point of sale. This proof will be the herd number for farmers.

According to the Department, farmers have already been provided with relevant information and training in relation to best practices when using rodenticide products and are classified as professional users from 1 January 2018.

Wholesalers are required to keep information on any products sold in the future including the name and address of anyone who purchases rodenticides, ensuring full traceability.

The changes are in line with the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU), which is a best-practice code for the use of rodenticides.

According to Mervyn Walsh of Ecologica Pest Control: “The feedback that I am getting is that mice and rat infestations seem to be getting worse. The warm mild weather during the autumn has led to populations growing and now that it is getting colder, rodents are moving indoors for warmth.”

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