To continue to be able to purchase professional-grade rodenticides, the new requirements mean farmers and growers will only be able to provide proof-of-competence in one of the following two ways:

• Complete a CRRU-approved training certificate every five years.
• Complete a CRRU-approved training certificate once and be a member of a CRRU-approved CPD scheme.

There are currently only two CRRU-approved CPD schemes, BASIS Prompt and BPCA Registered.

As of 1 January 2026, as it currently stands unless you are a member of one of these two schemes, certification will need to be repeated every five years.

This change marks a significant shift away from the current situation where membership of a stewardship-approved farm assurance scheme is accepted as proof-of-competence.

Responsible control methods

To produce the safest food for our consumers, farmers need to tackle rodent pests on farm. They use control methods responsibly. This is demonstrated and confirmed via membership of several Farm Assurance Schemes (FAS) including FAWL in Wales. Participation in these recognised assurance schemes, with regular visits by inspectors, ensures our members demonstrate knowledge, competence, and stewardship across a vast array of farming practices. On arable farms, poultry farms livestock and dairy farms where rodent control is an absolute necessity.

NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chair, Hedd Pugh said: “The decision by the CRRU to unilaterally introduce an additional certification requirement for the use of rodenticides on farm has been made without any formal consultation with farming unions, trade associations or FASs.

“NFU Cymru along with NFU and other trade associations are now calling on CRRU to consult with farmers and their representatives to gain a thorough understanding of how the changes to proof-of-competence will impact on rodent control and the wider environment. The CRRU needs to revert to a well proven system that earned recognition, through membership of an approved assurance scheme, will continue to play a part in proof-of-competence for the purchase of professional-grade rodenticides.

“We urgently need this conversation to establish how these changes can work best for farmers, the environment and food production. The driving force here must be future wide participation to ensure effective and safe rodent control for food safety reasons whilst minimising environmental impacts. We have a system in place that works, and we ask why change without even an offer of consultation from CRRU.”