The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has opened a public consultation on the renewal of anticoagulant rodenticide products under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR).
The consultation, which runs until 30 September 2025, will assess whether there are suitable and sufficient alternatives to anticoagulant rodenticides such as difethialone, difenacoum, bromadiolone, brodifacoum, flocoumafen and coumatetralyl.
These products are essential tools for controlling rats and mice in and around buildings, as well as in sewers.
However, because anticoagulants meet exclusion criteria under GB BPR, their continued use requires careful justification.
HSE’s comparative assessment will look at:
- Whether alternatives to anticoagulant rodenticides have lower risks for human health, animal health and the environment
- Whether alternatives are sufficiently effective
- Whether alternatives present economic or practical disadvantages
- Whether the range of available active substances is wide enough to minimise resistance in rats and mice.
To inform this work, HSE is asking for evidence and data from those working in rodent control, public health, animal health, wildlife protection, food production and storage, and critical national infrastructure.
If HSE concludes that alternatives are suitable and sufficient, the authorisation of anticoagulant rodenticides could be restricted or even refused.
For pest management professionals, this could significantly impact the range of tools available to manage rodents and protect public health.
