Anticoagulant Rodenticide Regulatory Review – SGARs Become Restricted Chemical Products and Registrations Suspended

The APVMA has completed a review into anticoagulant rodenticide use in Australia. Following the proposed regulatory decision announced on December 16, 2025, the APVMA has now proposed that second-generation anticoagulants (SGARs) to be certified as restricted chemical products and the related product registrations to be suspended, with new use patterns/labels in place.

In 2021, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) announced a review into anticoagulant rodenticides. Following completion of the review, the proposed regulatory decision was published on December 16, 2025. Although the public consultation period did not close until March 24, 2026, the APVMA announced on March 10 that “it is in the public interest for chemical products containing any second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) to be declared restricted chemical products (RCPs)” and the registration of all products containing SGARs will be suspended for one year from March 24, 2026.

Classification as a Restricted Chemical Product (RCP)

“Declaring SGARs as RCPs will enable tighter controls on their purchase and use, including restricting access to individuals who meet specific training and licensing requirements.

“If the certification is accepted by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the APVMA, together with state and territory control-of-use authorities, will consider how training and licensing requirements could be implemented.”

The confirmation of the classification of SGARs as RCPs, what licensing / training is required for purchase and use, and how sale and use will be controlled and monitored, is to be finalised over the next 12 months.

Suspension of SGAR product registrations

Although the formal review process will continue, due to the number of submissions and the likelihood it will take around a year to complete, the APVMA decided to act now with these SGAR product suspensions, as the APVMA had “determined that the current use of SGAR products presents unacceptable risks to non-target animals, including native wildlife”.

“The suspension introduces strong risk mitigation measures to protect Australia’s native fauna, pets and livestock while the APVMA finalises its full regulatory consideration of first- and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.”

By suspending the products containing the SGARs in question, it allows the APVMA to immediately apply a series of product use changes and safety instructions that supersede any instructions on the current product labels. This allows products currently on the market to be sold and used until suppliers are able to update product labels for new production, as long as the new use instructions are followed. If the label hasn’t been updated or sticker applied over the current label with the new instructions, product suppliers should provide a hard copy of the new label requirements, and users are expected to read and follow the instructions. For end users in possession of product with the ‘old’ labelling, they are still expected to follow the updated use patterns and label instructions.

Rodenticides affected

The SGARs impacted by this decision are:

• Brodifacoum
• Bromadiolone
• Difenacoum
• Difethialone
• Flocoumafen

Key changes to use pattern for commercial products

• Anticoagulant rodenticides can only be used indoors for the control of mice.
  • DO NOT use place bait stations outdoors for control of mice.
• When using anticoagulant rodenticides outdoors for rats, they must be placed in tamper-resistant bait stations, secured in place, and can only be used outdoors within 2 metres of the building (does not apply to coumatetralyl).
  • DO NOT place bait outdoors unless it is secured in a tamper-resistant and weather-resistant bait station which is secured in place.
  • DO NOT place bait in child-accessible areas unless secured within tamper-resistant bait stations which are secured in place.
  • DO NOT place bait stations more than 2 meters from buildings.
• Burrow baiting as use pattern for rat control will no longer be allowed.
  • DO NOT apply this product directly into burrows.
• To minimise secondary poisoning events…
  • DO NOT use the product continuously for more than 35 days without an evaluation of the state of the infestation and of the efficacy of the treatment.
  • Hazardous to wildlife. Search for and dispose of dead rodents and slugs/snails in the infested area at each visit to prevent secondary poisoning. In case slugs/snails are present, move bait station to another location within the rodent infested site, away from slugs/snails. Dispose of slugs/snails, dead rodents and uneaten bait in compliance with local, state or territory government regulations.
• DO NOT use the product beyond 35 days without an evaluation of the state of the infestation and of the efficacy of the treatment.

Occupational user safety – application and PPE changes

• When using the product wear disposable gloves. During clean-up and disposal operations of bait and bait stations, wear disposable gloves. Wear disposable gloves when handling rodent carcasses. Wash clothes after performing re-handling activities. (Re-handling activities include post-treatment bait clean-up operations and droppings clean-up activities).

Consumer product changes

Consumer use patterns are considered higher risk due to the lack of user training. Not only have the use patterns been updated, but consumer product pack sizes have been limited to between 50 -300g (depending on product format) and all bait must be placed in tamper-resistant bait stations.

The key new label updates are:

• DO NOT use this product outdoors.
• DO NOT use unless secured in a tamper resistant bait station. Where possible, fix tamper-resistant bait stations to the ground or other structures.
• DO NOT use the product for longer than 35 days when treating an infestation. If rodent activity is still observed after 35 days, seek advice from the product supplier or call a pest control service.
• Hazardous to wildlife.
  • Search for and dispose of dead rodents and slugs/snails in the infested area at each visit to prevent secondary poisoning.
  • In case slugs/snails are present, move bait station to another location within the rodent infested site, away from slugs/snails.
  • Dispose of slugs/snails, dead rodents and uneaten bait by wrapping in paper, placing in plastic bag and putting in garbage.
• When using the product wear disposable gloves. During clean-up and disposal operations of bait and bait stations, wear disposable gloves. Wear disposable gloves when handling rodent carcasses. Wash clothes after performing re-handling activities.

Professional pest managers (and any user of rodenticides) should become familiar with these new use instructions and formulate their rodent management plans accordingly.