Rodenticide Resistance Action Committee (RRAC)

Background

The Rodenticide Resistance Action Committee (RRAC) is a working group within the framework of the Global Crop Protection Federation. Participating companies include: BASF AG, Bayer CropScience AG, Liphatech S.A., Rentokil Initial plc, Sorex Limited, and Syngenta AG. Senior technical specialists, with specific expertise in rodenticides, represent their companies on this committee.

Definition of Rodenticide Resistance

The term rodenticide resistancehas several interpretations. The one adopted by RRAC is that of Greaves - 1994 (Resistance to Anticongulant Rodenticides. In: Buckle A.P. and Smith R.H. eds. "Rodent Pests and their Control", CABI, Wallingford, Oxon, UK, pg. 197-217):

"Anticoagulant resistance is a major loss of efficacy in practical conditions where the anticoagulant has been applied correctly, the loss of efficacy being due to the presence of a strain of rodent with a heritable and commensurately reduced sensitivity to the anticoagulant."

Objective

The objective of RRAC is to advise international agencies, government bodies, regulatory bodies and rodenticide users on technical matters relating to rodenticide resistance. It carries out this objective by:

producing guidance leaflets for rodenticide users on the safe and effective use of rodenticide products
organising seminars and conferences whereby industry members can meet and exchange ideas with experts from universities, governments and international organisations
participating in trade exhibitions and other similar events
sponsoring research projects on rodenticide resistance
developing and advocating the use of effective resistance management strategies.

Rodenticides are extremely valuable products in the prevention of human and animal disease and the protection of property, agriculture and the environment. New molecules are difficult and expensive to bring on to the market. Through its activities, the overriding intention of RRAC is to develop its understanding of resistance and resistance management in order to maintain the effectiveness of currently available rodenticides.

Proper Use of Rodenticides

Due to the fact that the incorrect use of rodenticides is often the cause of spurious reports of resistance to anticoagulants, RRAC has produced a leaflet entitled "Checklist for Rodenticides Users Experiencing Difficultures." This leaflet is available in English, French, German and Spanish from the companies listed above.

Towards Resistance Management

RRAC has sponsored a research programme, conducted in Germany by the Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land und Forstwirtschart (BBA), to investigate different practices for the management of anticoagulant resistance. The 3-year study on Farms in Münster focuses on anticoagulant resistance in its preliminary stages. Results will be published as soon as they become available.

The Future

In order to achieve its objectives, RACC intends to actively participate in the field of rodenticide resistance, in particular to support studies to extend our understanding of the importance and distribution of rodenticide resistance, resistance management, resistance detection methods and the biochemistry of resistance mechanisms.

While resistance to some anticoagulant compounds exists in certain localities, particularly in the countries of North America and northern Europe and in the species Rattus norvegicus - Mus musculus/domesticus and Rattus rattus, (see Greaves, 1994, for a review), nowhere are resistant rodents impossible to control safisfactorily with currently available rodenticides. It is the opinion of RRAC that this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Stefan Endepols
Bayer CropScience AG
Environmental Science PDRA Pest Control Products
Alfred-Nobel-Str. 50
D-40789 Monheim
Germany

Tel: +49 2173 38 38 95
e-mail: Stefan.Endepols@bayercropscience.com