Remote point of sale audits boost rodenticide review readiness.

Audits to drive out illegal supply of rodenticides taking place remotely amid Covid-19, ahead of an imminent review by HSE of the UK's rodenticide stewardship regime, which may determine future availability of toxic rodent control products.

The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU), which developed and runs the regime, has been working with BASIS to conduct remote audits of the sales of professional-use rodenticide products.

It is hoped this will help prove the effectiveness of the voluntary stewardship scheme and protect the tools that professional pest management companies use.

Dr Alan Buckle, chairman of CRRU, says:

"For stewardship's voluntary nature to be successful the entire pest control sector has to take responsibility for driving out bad practice and illegal supply. A welcome adaptation for the covid outbreak is remote auditing by BASIS of rodenticide point of sale processes."

Head of CRRU UK point of sale work group Rupert Broome says auditing supply outlets is a cornerstone of the regime.

The most recent annual report from CRRU shows outright passes for 72% of premises, up from 67% in 2018; 8% of passes with minor issues; 19% qualified passes; and 2% failed or where the audit failed to take place.

"For continued POS auditing during covid disruption, the switch to a remote process by BASIS is a very positive move," says Mr Broome. "This ensures that checking every buyer's proof of competence before purchase remains in force throughout the UK.

"None of us involved in rodent pest control can afford for stewardship practice to slip during covid disruption."