Following on from the successes achieved in the UK, CRRU Ireland has been established. It was officially launched on 25 September by Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine during the National Ploughing Championships held at Ratheniska, Co Laois between 24-26 September 2013.
Launching CRRU the Minister, Simon Coveney, said: “I am very proud of the clean green image that our food products have, both here and overseas. It is equally important that we maintain this clean healthy reputation for our wildlife as well. While it is essential that rats be controlled it should be done in a manner that does not harm non-target species such as barn owls and kestrels”.
Just as in the UK, the Irish rodenticide industry has recognised the need to protect and enhance wildlife and to ensure that rodenticides are used correctly and in ways that minimise the exposure of wildlife.
The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) has been initiated in Ireland and has been set up under the chairmanship of Dr Mark Lynch, former senior inspector in the Pesticides Control Service of the then Dept of Agriculture and Food. It is supported by all the main manufacturers of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides that are in use in Ireland.
Poor pest control practice has a negative effect on wildlife. CRRU Ireland will be raising awareness of how to use rodenticides in a responsible manner by having a planned approach, by using enough baiting points and by never leaving bait around at the end of treatment.
Owls and birds of prey play a role in keeping down rodent numbers around farms and food manufacturing plants. It is vital to ensure that rodents that are dead or dying after ingesting rodenticides are disposed of correctly and are not available to wildlife higher up the food chain.