New Zealand mulls to import rodenticides

The New Zealand EPA is calling for submissions on an application from Liphatech SAS to import three types of pest baits containing difethialone for use as rodenticides in and around agricultural, commercial, domestic, industrial and public service buildings.

Difethialone is an anticoagulant toxin that affects blood clotting.

The application states the baits, which are coloured blue so as not to attract birds and other non-target species, and contain a bittering agent as a human taste deterrent, would be sold in a range of pack sizes and forms for retail sale to the general public and in larger pack sizes to the commercial users/pest controllers.

In the US, products containing second-generation anticoagulants including difethialone must not be sold in small pack sizes (less than 500g) to protect children from accidental exposure and reduce the risk of accidental poisonings of pets and wildlife. 

The application states that difethialone is present at a very low concentration in the baits (0.0025% w/w) but is effective as a single feed rodenticide. Rodents are expected to die within 3 to 5 days after eating the palatable bait. Submissions close on Wednesday 21 November 2012.