HSE is consulting on the availability, or lack, of suitable alternatives for rodenticide products containing anticoagulant active substances.

Anticoagulant rodenticide active substances have been identified as fulfilling at least one of the exclusion criteria set out in Article 5(1) of the GB Biocidal Products Regulation (GB BPR). But they are approved in accordance with Article 5(2) as they are essential to prevent serious danger to human and animal health, and the environment. They are therefore considered to be candidates for substitution under Article 10(1).

Where a biocidal product contains an active substance that is a candidate for substitution, a comparative assessment must be carried out as set out in Article 23 before the product can be authorised or renewed.

To inform this comparative assessment, HSE has launched a public consultation to gather information on the availability of suitable and sufficient alternatives to anticoagulant rodenticides.

This public consultation relates to biocidal products containing the following active substances and is running until the stated date:

30 September 2025

• Difethialone (CAS 104653-34-1, EC 600-594-7)
• Difenacoum (CAS 56073-07-5, EC 259-978-4)
• Bromadiolone (CAS 28772-56-7, EC 249-205-9)
• Brodifacoum (CAS 56073-10-0, EC 259-980-5)
• Flocoumafen (CAS 90035-08-8, EC 421-960-0)
• Coumatetralyl (CAS 5836-29-3, EC 227-424-0)
  
  

To find out more, view the consultation and submit comments: GB public consultation: alternatives for anticoagulant rodenticide products

It is important that interested parties contribute to the consultation to inform the decision-making process in particular on the availability of suitable alternatives. Interested parties include those with roles and responsibilities in:

• rodent control
• the protection of public and animal health
• the protection of critical national infrastructures such as energy networks, water supplies and military defence systems
• hygiene in the food supply chain, including production, manufacture, distribution and storage