The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a regulation on rodenticides that would require farmers to hire or become certified applicators to use them on farms to control vermin.

EPA claims its rule will reduce or eliminate the negative effects of rodenticides on non-target species, including threatened and endangered species covered by the Endangered Species Act. The regulation, which also limits the purchase of rodenticides, will require licensing of farmers to use these tools, as well as incorporation of various new practices associated with their use.

Most importantly, these regulations will likely reduce the overall availability of rodenticides, and the ease of obtaining them. Farmers will face higher costs for these vital disease management tools and suffer increased loss of feed grains to rodents, raising their greenhouse gas footprint. Ultimately though, consumers will feel the effect of these regulations through further food price increases.

NPPC and other livestock and poultry organizations in public comments on a proposed rodenticide regulation asked EPA to gather more information about rodenticides’ alleged harm to endangered species before finalizing the rule.

Currently, farmers and ranchers rely on state departments of agriculture and the Land Grant University/Extension network for science-based best practice recommendations to ensure responsible use of rodenticides.

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NPPC notes rodenticides are an important part of the agriculture industry. Uncontrolled mice and rats have a detrimental effect on the environment as well as farms and ranches. In addition to destroying crops, rodents transmit bacteria and viruses that can infect animals and cause diseases. They also consume and spoil feed, which increases the environmental footprint of farms and raises food prices for consumers.