Who may use outdoor rat poison in Ireland
Anyone hiring a pest controller in the Republic of Ireland meets a system that ties professional rodenticide use to personal registration. This article summarises pages published by the Pesticide Registration and Control Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) on trained professional use rodenticide products, registration of Pest Management Trained Professional Users (PMUs), registration requirements, trainee PMUs and the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) in Ireland. It concerns the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and follows separate rules, and Great Britain’s approach is covered in this site’s article on professional and consumer access to rodenticides. This is general information, not legal advice.
Why outdoor use is restricted (Ireland)
DAFM says regulatory environmental risk assessments concluded that outdoor use of anti-vitamin K (AVK) rodenticide products presents a higher risk to non-target animals, such as birds of prey and companion animals, than would normally be considered acceptable. It recognises that outdoor use is sometimes necessary as part of a properly managed rodent control strategy based on integrated pest management. Outdoor use around buildings is restricted to professional and trained professional users, and suppliers of these products must demonstrate that they adhere to the requirements in their authorisation.
The PMU register (Ireland)
DAFM defines a PMU as any person using products authorised for trained professional or professional use who offers a pest management service. PMUs must register with DAFM and receive a PMU number. From 1 January 2018, a PMU offering rodent control with products authorised only for trained professional use outdoors, in open areas and in sewers has to provide proof of competence at the point of sale, using the PMU number in the format PMUxxxxxx.
The number belongs to the individual, not the employer. DAFM says a pest control company cannot obtain a PMU number. A company buying product must present the PMU numbers of its trained staff, and only those PMUs can use the product purchased.
Training requirements (Ireland)
A PMU must give evidence of being a trained professional user and agree to take part in continuing professional education to keep the registration valid. DAFM requires a recognised Ofqual Level 3 training course or equivalent. Its page names two:
- the Lantra Level 3 Award in Pest Management Services (Trained Professional User), which includes the CRRU Wildlife Aware course; and
- the RSPH Level 3 in Pest Management, which requires the CRRU Wildlife Aware course to be completed as well.
Where the Level 3 course does not include it, the Wildlife Aware course or an equivalent is required. For “own use” PMUs, DAFM lists a single approved course, a Lantra-certified 1.5-day rodent management course.
New entrants (Ireland)
DAFM allows trainees to work with indirect supervision during a nine-month period while completing formal training. A trainee applies for a conditional PMU number with a training plan and proof of registration on an Ofqual Level 3 (or equivalent) pest management qualification. The certificate must be submitted within nine months of starting employment, with extensions where a course is not available within that time. If the documents are not submitted, the conditional number is revoked and the trainee can no longer legally use rodenticide for professional or trained professional use. Companies must keep training records for audit.
Farmers and other professional users (Ireland)
Professional users such as farmers using professional AVK products in and around buildings have been classified as professional users since 1 January 2018. They must show proof of their professional activity at the point of sale, such as a herd number, flock number or HFR/HPR number.
Wildlife Aware and the CRRU Code (Ireland)
DAFM says CRRU Ireland exists to promote best practice and responsible use of chemical rodent control while limiting exposure of birds of prey, other predators and pets. In cooperation with the Irish Agricultural Supply Industry Standards body (IASIS), it has established the Wildlife Aware training and accreditation scheme for pest control technicians and other competent rodenticide users. Accredited professionals are listed on the IASIS website. The training emphasises integrated pest management, the CRRU Code and local-area environmental assessments.
Questions worth asking a contractor (Ireland)
The DAFM pages make some questions reasonable for customers: whether the technician holds a PMU number, which Level 3 qualification they completed, whether they hold Wildlife Aware accreditation, and how the treatment fits an integrated approach that starts with proofing rather than poison alone.
Common questions
Can a pest control company hold a PMU number? No. DAFM says the number is linked to the individual.
Does the rule cover every rodenticide? DAFM’s PMU requirement covers products authorised for trained professional use outdoors, in open areas and in sewers.
The bottom line
In the Republic of Ireland, professional outdoor rodenticide use is tied to individual PMU registration with DAFM, backed by Level 3 training, Wildlife Aware content and continuing education. The PMU number is the proof of competence at the point of sale, trainees have a nine-month conditional route, and the rules exist because outdoor use presents risks to birds of prey and pets.
Sources
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (PRCD), “Registration of Pest Management – Trained Professional Users”
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (PRCD), “Trained Professional Use Rodenticide Products”
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (PRCD), “Professional Use Rodenticide Products”
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (PRCD), “Requirements for registration as a Pest Management Trained Professional User”
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (PRCD), “Registration as a Trainee PMU (New Entrants)”
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (PRCD), “Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use in Ireland”