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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 17th February 2015
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Laws on pest control products set to change
rabbit
If used incorrectly, aluminium phosphide can be hazardous to the health and safety of users and the general public, as well as non-target animals.
Training certificate will soon be required to use aluminium phosphides

Farmers and gamekeepers who wish to use aluminium phosphides to control rabbits, rats and moles in their burrows will soon require an approved certificate of training.

New legislation coming into force on November 26, 2015, will make it a legal requirement for those using products such as Talunex and Phostoxin to be certified under the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012.

In order to purchase and use these products, a City and Guilds Level 2 award will be required. Many distributors already ask to see evidence of training in the safe use of aluminium phosphides to control vertebrate pests.

If used incorrectly, aluminium phosphide can be hazardous to the health and safety of users and the general public, as well as non-target animals. The training aims to ensure users are adequately trained in the safe use of products.

Training can be organised through distributors or the Register of Accredited Metallic Phosphide Standards in the UK (Ramps UK), which is overseeing the training.

Ramps UK is urging people to plan ahead to ensure they obtain the qualification in time, as it is anticipated that demand will exceed supply as the deadline for training approaches.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.