Anticoagulant rodenticide excretion in rats following median lethal dose (LD50) administration

Project goal

Develop an understanding of the environmental fate of anticoagulant rodenticides deployed on farm, as well as the risks associated with them.

Project summary

While rodenticide residue levels are low and therefore unlikely to affect the safety of pork, there is a consumer perception of food safety risk. This project sought to develop an understanding of the environmental fate of anticoagulant rodenticides deployed on farm, as well as the risks associated with them.

Value for producers: 

  • Better develop best-practice rodenticide use
  • Maintain consumer confidence in Australian pork and protect export market access

Recommendations:

  • Rat faecal pellets should be considered a high risk source of rodenticide contamination
  • Rat carcases should be considered a high risk source of residue contamination and secondary poisoning
  • On farm, regular detection of rodent activity in production areas is vital, and rodent carcases should be routinely removed.
Download resources
Research enquiries