Widely available rat poisons could be pulled from the shelves of supermarkets and other Australian retailers after a federal regulator recommended they be declared a restricted product.
It’s a victory for conservationists and scientists who for years have called for rodenticides to be banned or heavily restricted because of their impact on wildlife. Native animals, including tawny frogmouths, mighty owls and quolls, have been found dead after eating poisoned rats and mice.
Sign Up: AU Breaking News Email
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority said it was in the public interest for chemicals containing second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, known as SGARS, to be declared restricted chemicals.
If accepted by the federal and state governments, the declaration would limit access to poisons to licensed professionals. Retailers including Bunnings, Coles and Woolworths would no longer be able to sell them.
This is because the authority accepted in December, after a lengthy review, that rodenticides posed an unacceptable risk to wildlife. It said it had consulted with governments before making the recommendation.
The authority announced there would be new conditions for the sale and use of SGAR while governments considered its advice. As of March 24, poisons should not be used outdoors or for more than 35 days at a time. Baits should also be stored securely in a tamper-proof bait station. Retailers must provide consumers with a physical copy of the new instructions for use.
The announcement is the first time in more than a decade that the authority has declared a chemical restricted. Only 12 have been declared between agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines.
BirdLife Australia chief executive Kate Millar said the advice was in line with “overwhelming scientific evidence” and she hoped it would be accepted by federal, state and territory governments.
“This is a big step for birds and wildlife,” he said. “Our supporters and scientists are celebrating today. This is the first important step toward the result we have been calling for.”
Jessica Crause, a wildlife rehabilitator with Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services who has cared for species of birds of prey affected by poisons, such as the powerful owls, welcomed the recommendation.
“I see first-hand the impacts these poisons have on our wildlife: birds trapped on the ground, unable to fly, attacked by predators, bloated and clearly feeling very unwell,” he said. “It is heartbreaking because when they reach land they have been suffering for days and days and it is almost impossible to reverse the damage.”
A Bunnings spokesperson said the retailer would follow the authority’s guidance and was “working on what these changes mean for the products we stock”.
A Woolworths spokesperson said the supermarket chain was consulting its suppliers to “understand the implications of the APVMA decision”.
“We understand that these products are important to certain customers, especially in rural areas,” they said.
“We also sell a number of alternative options including ultrasonic repellents, traps and second-generation anticoagulant-free rodenticides.”
Guardian Australia has asked Coles for comment.
