Monday, 21st June 2010
MEPs must abandon ‘crazy’ rat poison plan
The European Parliament must abandon a “crazy” plan which could see 95% of rat poisons banned and lead to an explosion in vermin, Struan Stevenson MEP has said.
Members of the Brussels Parliament’s influential environment committee will tomorrow [Tuesday, June 22] vote on regulations to ban a raft of so-called biocides – including anticoagulant rodenticides which make up the vast majority of available rat poisons.
Pest controllers, farmers and others are up in arms about the proposal, which they say would remove at a stroke the most effective means of controlling rodent populations.
Mr Stevenson said:
“This crazy plan stems from a complete overreaction to the minimal danger posed by these poisons to human beings.
“Unless MEPs vote to exempt these poisons from the proposed ban, our best weapons in the fight against vermin will be lost – leaving Scottish farmers, industry and householders vulnerable.
“Rats and mice pose a serious health hazard to human beings through contamination of food and the many diseases they carry. Around 7% of all house fires and up to 50% of farm fires in the UK are caused by rodents gnawing on electric cables.
“I call on MEPs to act proportionately and not risk a dangerous explosion in rats and mice.”
