Renewals of rodenticide authorisations under strict conditions
Rodenticides based on anticoagulants are indispensable to protect people, animals, buildings and supplies against disease, contamination and chewing damage from rodents. But these agents also have a downside: an increased risk of poisoning other animals. In addition, the substances are often persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and must not be allowed to enter the environment. However, insufficient alternatives are currently available to replace this class of rodenticides.
In 2017, the approvals of the active substances were extended based on their necessity and the lack of adequate alternatives. To minimise the risks, the authorisations of products based on these substances can be renewed only under strict conditions and with specific instructions. These instructions (‘SPC AVKs translations’) have been published on the ECHA website and will be included in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for all products based on anticoagulants.
When preparing an SPC for authorisation in the Netherlands, the Ctgb uses the restriction sentences that have been adopted at the EU level. The sentences are available on the ECHA website. If applicable, sentences are added that are specific to the Dutch situation. For example: use only outdoors in accordance with integrated pest control, or follow the Netherlands-specific regulations for waste disposal.
Moreover, as part of the renewal the grounds for assessing a number of uses will be re-examined and stipulated. In the Netherlands, anticoagulant-based rodenticides are only permitted for use in special (tamper-proof) bait boxes or crates. The products are used only to control house mice in buildings and rats in and around buildings, food storage facilities and sewers. In the Netherlands, anticoagulants cannot be used in open fields, in animal burrows and garbage dumps, and may be used only temporarily.