1. Purpose

To inform GTA Members that the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has certified that it is in the public interest for chemical products containing any second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) to be declared restricted chemical products (RCPs).

2. Background

Since 2021, the APVMA has been conducting a review of anticoagulant rodenticides. The review includes:

• First Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (FGARs) Coumatetralyl, Diphacinone and Warfarin.
• Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, Difethialone and Flocoumafen.

A number of changes have been proposed to FGARs (and will be in future) and domestic use of rodenticides, however this Member Update only deals with the SGARs.

On 16 December 2025, the APVMA’s proposed decision was to suspend SGAR products. It commenced a targeted 6-week consultation with product holders and State and Territory authorities. During that consultation, State and Territory chemical coordinators, who manage control of use of chemicals, advised that declaring SGARs as RCPs would provide the most robust legal framework for ensuring access can be restricted to licensed and authorised users in a nationally consistent manner.

3. Current Decision

On 10 March 2026, the APVMA advised that SGARs are declared as RCPs via www.apvma.gov.au/news-and-publications/publications/gazette/gazette-5-10-mar-26. In addition, the APVMA also announced that the registration of all products containing SGARs will be suspended for one year from 24 March 2026.

The decision was made for several reasons, including:

• Imminent environmental risk to native birds, mammals, reptiles, pests and livestock.
• Potential risks to human health if products lack a dye and/or a bittering agent.
• Some products such as powders and liquids contain a higher concentration of active constituent which cannot be adequately contained.

3.1 Supply and Labelling

As SGARs as of 10 March 2026 are now RCPs, special knowledge and skills are required for all users to ensure that use of these products is done safely:

• In future, supply will be restricted to Authorised Persons only, with details to be determined following APVMA interaction over the coming months with States and Territories.
• As of 24 March 2026, specific written instructions as outlined in the APVMA notice (under conditions of a Deemed Permit) outlining altered label directions must accompany each product when purchased.

3.2 Usage and Usage Instructions

What it means for current use of these SGARs by industry all along the supply chain (from growers to processors/exporters etc) is outlined in the AVPMA notice.

The implementation of an RCP will take a number of months due to the requirements that need to be put into place before it can be enacted. In the interim, the APVMA has taken steps to manage risks with the main instructions for users of SGARs in commercial situations changed to the following:

• DO NOT place bait stations outdoors for control of mice.
• DO NOT use in areas accessible to non-target animals, pets or children unless secured in a tamper resistant bait station.
• 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 stations more than 2 meters from buildings.
• DO NOT apply this product directly into burrows.
• 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.
• When using the product wear disposable gloves. During cleanup 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.

These instructions must be complied with as of 24 March 2026 for all current users. When the details of who is an Authorised Person are finalised, as per 3.1 above, current users may no longer be able to use SGARs unless complying with all of those requirements.

As per the current use of any chemical, industry can apply to the APVMA for a permit where there may be a high risk or presence of rodents that may cause food safety issues, etc., or that need controlling using rodent controls outside of the new label directions. Note, though, that the process may take time and involve financial costs for the application.

4. Future Actions

The APVMA will work with States and Territories and DAFF to identify and develop licensing and training requirements over the coming months. This will include qualifications of all persons able to purchase and use SGARs in future.

GTA and the National Working Party of Grain Protection (NWPGP), have provided several submissions to the APVMA review since it commenced. Following the 10 March 2026 announcement, on behalf of industry, the implications of this decision on supply chain logistics, grain quality, storage hygiene, QA systems required and held by industry, requirements for managing rodent hygiene as an Export Registered Establishment and other impacts, have been provided to the APVMA.

Given the potential negative impacts on industry if there are differences in training requirements and qualifications of an Authorised Person to purchase and use SGARs in future, further consultation with the APVMA and States and Territories will occur to highlight the need for consistency. This may include seeking grain industry company personnel, appropriately trained, being recognised as Authorised Persons, rather than for example a ruling that SGARs can only be used by commercial suppliers.

5. Further Information

For further information, please contact GTA at admin@graintrade.org.au

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