PEST CONTROL


The HSE has asked CRRU UK to fund and conduct a series of studies to monitor implementation and impacts of the Stewardship Regime, including looking at levels of anticoagulant residues in the livers of UK barn owls. As Mr Bailey points out, the changes legislation to amateur biocidal products are unlikely to just stop with rodenticide and pest control products. “It is likely to carry over to wood preservers, fungicides and insecticides – all chemical products really.” Whilst it is difficult to have clear access to timescales given on when decisions over active ingredients will be made, and with new actives being added to the review every quarter, a lot of changes are expected to come into effect in 2018.


Squeeze on the market As rodenticide suppliers scrabble to reformulate their products in anticipation of prospective bans, it is understandably constricting the market. Rentokil products manager David Hall says: “The market is getting squeezed more because of the pressures of the Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR),


meaning there are more restrictions on active ingredients and so fewer products available.” Barrettine’s Mr Bailey agrees: “Since the CRRU Stewardship campaign went live in Sept 2016, sources suggest volumes of rodenticide in the professional market are down by as much as 20%”. However, not all companies are feeling the burn just yet. “So far, the enforcement of the stewardship has not directly impacted on STV, since the bulk of our sales are for amateur use and out of scope of stewardship,” explains STV product manager Ed Deane. “We have had some increase in sales of our larger pack sizes, though, as some purchasers of professional baits have not become accredited and purchase amateur packs. This year’s change of amateur packs is of much greater significance, as all of our products will have to be reviewed before the 50ppm products have to come off shelf in early 2018.” However, he says of potential bans on active ingredients: “Moving to a BPR-ready formulation before your competitors do puts your market


Coming up in the next issues of DIY Week:


24th March - Adhesives & Sealants 7th April - Cleaning & Laundry and Merchandising & POS


position at risk, so there is a real tension between commercial imperatives and long-term supply to manage.” While all are in agreement that ensuring responsible and controlled use of chemical products is a must, the problem lies in that many people believe there is no better and more effective methods of controlling rodents – particularly in large infestations that affect commercial buildings and farms – has been found. “These active ingredients almost have a stay of execution because there is nothing else to replace them,” says Mr Bailey. STV’s Mr Deane adds: “For any chemicals that are either not


Several actives in products may be phased out if risk to consumer is considered high


included in the review, or where no support is available, products generally get a 12-month phase- out period, and even that is flagged well ahead of the start of the 12 month countdown commencing. That’s time enough to manage stock levels down, but it can be challenging to find suitable alternatives in some instances.” In the meantime, how is this information being filtered down to those retail businesses who will be affected? Rentokil’s Mr Hall says: “We’ll be guiding our customers through this process when the time comes and advising on the best replacements to use.” STV’s Ed Deane adds: “We have been talking to the larger retailers for some time, flagging up the changeover and understanding their implementation timelines. Over the coming months, we’ll be talking to the wider customer base... This is a big change for the market to accommodate and retailers will look to their supply chain for clear advice and help them manage the transition with as little disruption as possible.”


To feature please email your product information to diyweekproducts@datateam.co.uk


www.diyweek.net 10 MARCH 2017 DIY WEEK 21


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