Overview
- Australia’s pesticides regulator recommended classifying second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides as restricted chemical products, ending over-the-counter sales and limiting purchase to trained, licensed users.
- Bunnings will remove SGAR products by June 30, well ahead of an expected 12‑month implementation window; Amazon has already delisted them and major retailers say they will follow regulator directions.
- Authorised use is set to continue for critical sectors such as farming and mining through licensing and approved training requirements.
- Researchers have documented extensive secondary poisoning in native predators, including high exposure in owls and residues found in endangered northern quolls in Western Australia’s Pilbara.
- Experts advise lower‑risk control methods for households and businesses, including first‑generation baits, non‑anticoagulant products, mechanical or electric traps, rodent‑proofing and targeted surveillance, with a ruling on FGARs expected early next year.