Rodenticide restrictions raise role for farm professionals
Professional pest controllers can offer farm customers more efficient and effective rodent management strategies next year, when new rules over the purchase and use of rodenticides come into force, according to Syngenta Business Manager, Richard Moseley.
The move will see the requirement for a Level 2 Safe use of rodenticides certification or, for those historically qualified, a recognised Continuous Professional Development (CPD) scheme that includes an element of annual education focussed on rodenticide use, in order to buy and use rodenticides.
Speaking at PestTech 2025 (5 November, Milton Keynes), Richard highlights: “From January 1 the new requirements will preclude farmers and landowners purchasing or using rodenticides under a farm certification scheme membership.
“Whilst they would still be able to undertake a full day training course to the Level 2 standard, the time and cost involved is likely to deter uptake for some,” he suggests.
As a result, more farms will use a professional pest control business to outsource their rodent management. “We firmly believe that will be a positive development, since it will assure that rodents are managed in the most appropriate way in any situation and with a fully integrated plan for long-term results.
“It will also ensure the highly effective Syngenta Talon rodenticides are used in the best way to achieve the highest levels of control quickly and effectively.”
Richard advocates the Syngenta Talon range of SoftXT paste; Pellets; Waxblocks; M maize grain and Talon Glow sachets all have a role in farm and rural rodent control, to target pests’ challenging feeding habits in different situations.
“The pest controller’s experience to assess situations and suggest the optimum Talon formulation will be invaluable in achieving high levels of control. They will also have a wider range of options to draw upon in the most difficult cases, that can achieve faster and more cost-effective results,” he adds.
However, Richard reminds pest controllers that they must also hold the appropriate certification for the purchase or the use of all rodenticides from the start of next year.
“There has been an increase in people undertaking the Level 2 qualification, which will cover them for the next five years. But if that certification time has elapsed then they must qualify through a recognised CPD scheme,” he says.
For rodenticide use that has also now been strengthened by the need to gain at least three points that are recognised by the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) as providing rodenticide focussed education, within the annual 20 CPD point tally.
CRRU recognised CPD points can be gained from a number of accredited training providers, including the BPCA and NPTA websites, BASIS, and Killgerm, among others.
Visitors to PestTech can collect up to 10 CPD points, through attending the event, taking the BASIS Knowledge Trail and learning from selected seminar sessions. That includes one CRRU point for Matthew Davies’ seminar covering the 2026 changes and their implications – taking place during both the morning and afternoon sessions.
