Lodi UK is reminding growers of upcoming changes to rodenticide legislation. After 31 December, it will be illegal to use second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) containing bromadiolone and difenacoum in open areas and hedgerows.
Technical director, Ross Goodman, says the new law aims to reduce the number of wild and non-target species affected by SGARs residues – with studies showing 80% of barn owls have been found with the residues in their systems.
“I appreciate that this change in legislation will mean some farmers and growers will have to reassess how they manage rodents in areas not connected to farm buildings, such as hedgerows and open-sided straw sheds,” he adds.
“However, it’s an essential step in the right direction if we want to safeguard the long-term use of rodenticides in agriculture. And the good news is there are alternative rodenticides available, that are approved for use in open areas.”
In the new year, he says that growers should look to products based on the active substance cholecalciferol.
“This works differently to SGARS such as bromadiolone and difenacoum,” Ross says. “It’s a non-anticoagulant rodenticide that operates through calcification, which is a natural bodily process.
“After eating around 14g of bait, rodents start to feel ill and stop feeding, retreating to die in a secluded spot. This ‘stop-feed’ effect significantly reduces the time for damage and disease to spread. And because calcification is a natural process, there’s a much lower risk of secondary poisoning for wildlife.”
He concludes by saying Lodi’s Gems Harmonix rodent paste is only product available with open areas and burrows use on the label.
