What Farmers Must Do to Stay Compliant and Protected
As of 1 January 2026, important legislative changes affecting UK farmers are no longer “on the horizon”, they’re already in force. These updates have direct implications for farm compliance, pest management, business protection and long-term planning.
For many farms, rodent control is one of the most immediate areas impacted by new rules. When combined with the rising financial cost of infestations, staying compliant is not only a legal requirement but a business-critical decision.
This guide explains what has changed, why it matters and what farmers need to do now.
Professional Rodenticide Rules Are Now Live
The most significant change already affecting farms is the updated requirement around professional rodenticide use.
From 1 January 2026, farmers must hold recognised proof of competence to purchase and use professional rodenticides. This change is driven by stewardship requirements overseen by CRRU and supported by DEFRA.
Previous assumptions that assurance schemes alone provided access are no longer valid. Suppliers are legally required to check certification before selling professional products.
What this means in practice
If you cannot show valid certification, you may be refused sale of professional rodenticides. This can leave farms exposed during peak rodent pressure periods, particularly in grain stores, livestock units and feed areas.
What farmers need to do now
Farmers should check that they, or any staff responsible for baiting and monitoring, hold an approved qualification such as a Lantra or RSPH award. Records should be kept up to date and easily accessible, as compliance checks are becoming more common.
Failing to act could mean delayed pest control, higher infestation risk and potential knock-on impacts to animal health and food safety audits.
The True Cost of Rodents on UK Farms
Rodents are not a minor nuisance. They represent one of the most expensive and persistent threats to UK agriculture.
According to UK industry estimates, rats alone cost the UK economy over £2 billion each year, with agriculture accounting for a significant proportion of that figure. On individual farms, the impact can be substantial.
Average costs linked to rodent infestations include:
Grain contamination and spoilage, damaged feed bags, chewed electrical wiring, compromised insulation, structural damage to buildings and increased disease risk.
Studies indicate that a single rat can contaminate up to ten times the amount of food it consumes, rendering stored grain unfit for sale or feed use. On a typical arable or mixed farm, this can translate into thousands of pounds lost per year in spoiled produce alone.
In livestock systems, rodents are known carriers of diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonella. The cost of disease outbreaks, reduced productivity and veterinary intervention often far outweighs the cost of preventative control.
When infestations are allowed to establish due to delayed or restricted access to rodenticides, costs escalate quickly. What begins as a compliance issue can become a significant financial and welfare problem.
Why Staying Compliant Protects More Than Your Certification
The updated legislation is not simply about paperwork. It is designed to ensure professional rodenticides are used correctly, responsibly and only where necessary.
Certified users are trained to:
- Identify infestation levels accurately
- Use baiting strategies that reduce overuse
- Protect non-target species
- Integrate proofing and monitoring into control programmes
This approach aligns with best practice pest management and reduces long-term reliance on chemical control alone.
For farmers, this means fewer repeat infestations, better protection of stored crops and reduced risk of costly damage during high-pressure seasons.
What Farmers Should Do Now
First, confirm that you or your team hold valid certification to purchase and use professional rodenticides. If not, book training immediately.
Second, review your rodent management strategy. Certification alone is not enough. Effective control relies on monitoring, proofing and correct product use.
Finally, assess the financial risk rodents pose to your operation. The cost of inaction often far exceeds the cost of compliance.
Final Thoughts
The legislative changes now in force from 1 January 2026 mark a clear shift in how farm businesses are expected to manage risk, responsibility and long-term resilience.
Rodent control is no longer just a routine task. It is a regulated activity with direct consequences for compliance, productivity and profitability.
By acting now, farmers can stay protected, avoid unnecessary losses and ensure their businesses remain compliant, efficient and future-ready.
