The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) said it now considers mechanical traps suitable alternatives to anticoagulants for controlling indoor mice infestations.
Anticoagulant rodenticides are authorised on the understanding that no other practicable alternatives exist. This statement from ECHA indicates that, in its opinion, mechanical traps can replace anticoagulants for the control of mice.
BPCA said it has significant concerns with this position and is writing to ECHA to explain this is not the experience of our members controlling mice.
Post-Brexit, UK chemical registrations are handled by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, to date, HSE has remained closely aligned with ECHA.
ECHA said in a statement: “In its November meeting, the Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) adopted its opinion on the comparative assessment for the second renewal of all anticoagulant or anti-vitamin K (AVK) rodenticides in the EU.”
This assessment, which looked at chemical and non-chemical alternatives to anticoagulants, was done by ECHA at the request of the European Commission.
BPCA said it firmly believes that one test is insufficient to declare that mice infestations can be controlled in every situation without chemical controls.
Dee Ward-Thompson, BPCA head of technical, said: “BPCA will continue to advocate for a well-rounded toolkit available to pest professionals. Without an array of tools, it’ll only put citizens’ health, safety and wellbeing further at risk.”