Rodent pests, such as house mice and rats, present a serious problem in food and animal feed production and distribution. They not only contaminate foodstuffs and create hygiene risks but also cause direct economic damage by damaging materials, packaging, and infrastructure. German regulations strictly govern pest control measures, but recent initiatives to ban certain control methods have sparked heated debates in the industry.
BAN ON ANTICOAGULANT BAITS – A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION
One of the most commonly used methods for controlling rodents in Germany is the use of rodenticides containing anticoagulants such as difenacoum and bromadiolone. These baits are used both inside buildings and in their immediate surroundings, but under strict conditions and with professional supervision.
However, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has proposed completely replacing the use of anticoagulants indoors with mechanical traps. The German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Medicine (BAuA) has announced that starting in 2026, the long-term use of toxic baits will be banned in hygiene-sensitive sectors, including the food industry and the animal feed sector.
RESEARCH RESULTS: WHAT DO COMPANIES SAY?
To assess the impact of the proposed measures, the German Food Association (Lebensmittelverband Deutschland) surveyed companies in the food production, agriculture, agro-business, and animal feed sectors. The survey, conducted from March to April 2024, involved 841 companies.
Key findings of the survey:
- Frequency of rodent appearance: 35% of respondents stated that rodents appear in their facilities more than once a month, while 33.5% report appearances every 1 to 3 months.
- Control methods: The most commonly used method for pest detection is visual inspection, followed by the use of toxic and non-toxic baits. Traps are used, but less frequently than toxic baits.
- Role of professional services: 75% of companies employ professional pest control services, with that percentage rising to 96% in the food industry.
- Effectiveness of mechanical traps: Most respondents (49% for detection and 54% for elimination of rodents) consider mechanical traps to be a poor or very poor solution compared to other methods.
- Presence of “smart” solutions: Traps with digital monitoring are increasingly used in retail but are still less common in production facilities.
RODENT CONTROL: A COMBINATION OF MEASURES IS KEY
The survey showed that most companies use a combination of different methods to reduce the risk of rodent presence. While mechanical traps are used indoors, they are not sufficiently effective for outdoor use. Many respondents also pointed to the problem of “trap avoidance” – rodents often avoid mechanical traps, making population control more difficult.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the results of the survey, experts in the food industry believe that the ban on long-term use of anticoagulant baits is not justified. They emphasize that a “one-size-fits-all” solution cannot be effective and that different methods must be used depending on specific conditions. The industry expects to apply pressure on regulatory bodies to allow for a more flexible approach to pest control.
SOURCE: Lebensmittelverband Deutschland e.V. – Meinungsbild der deutschen Lebensmittelwirtschaft, Landwirtschaft, Agrarwirtschaft und Futtermittelwirtschaft zu Maßnahmen gegen Schadnager, februar 2025.
