Red Tractor is one of seven assurance schemes expected by the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime to qualify as proof of competence beyond December 31, 2017.
Since the regime’s introduction in mid-2016, members of 10 assurance schemes have been considered stewardship-compliant. This transitional arrangement ends on 31 December.
The seven schemes expected to continue qualifying as proof of competence are AIC’s Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops, Duck Assurance Scheme, Farm Assured Welsh Livestock, Laid in Britain, Red Tractor Farm Assurance, Quality British Turkey and Scottish Quality Crops.
Formally under the Biocidal Product Regulation, this means farmers presenting their membership document at sales outlets will continue to be able to purchase stewardship-label rodenticides.
The Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) UK, responsible to the Health and Safety Executive for the regime’s implementation, is working with the other three assurance schemes to bring standards into line with 2018 requirements. These are Lion Eggs, Quality Meat Scotland, and Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assurance Scheme.
Until such compliance is confirmed, there is no certainty that membership will continue to provide proof of competence for purchase of professional rodenticides. As schemes do gain 2018 compliance, the list will be updated and re-issued by CRRU UK.