Farmers and gamekeepers face court action and big fines if convicted of irresponsible use of rodenticides by their staff as well as themselves. In readiness for new rodent control programmes this winter, the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) is advising farmers and gamekeepers to ensure they and their staff follow its seven-point code of practice.
Last year, a farmer from Wramplingham, Norfolk, whose gamekeeper used rodenticide that accidentally killed two birds of prey was fined £2,000 with £400 costs[1]. This was the first-ever prosecution for 'secondary poisoning' in which the birds had eaten dead and dying rats that had consumed the poison, making them a 'secondary' recipient. The farmer entered a guilty plea to not providing their gamekeeper with training in the proper use of pesticides.
Disposal of rodent carcases is one element of the CRRU code, which contains four ALWAYS and three NEVER elements:
ALWAYS:
· have a planned approach
· record quantity of bait & where it is placed
· use enough baiting points
· collect and dispose of rodent bodies
NEVER:
· leave bait exposed to non-target animals and birds
· fail to inspect bait regularly
· leave bait down at the end of the treatment
Detailed guidance on each item is available at www.thinkwildlife.org.uk/crru-code.php.
