The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has today certified that it is in the public interest for chemical products containing any second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) to be declared restricted chemical products (RCPs).
Declaring SGARs as RCPs will enable tighter controls on their purchase and use, including restricting access to individuals who meet specific training and licensing requirements.
If the certification is accepted by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the APVMA, together with state and territory control-of-use authorities, will consider how training and licensing requirements could be implemented.
The certification follows the APVMA’s proposed decision of 16 December 2025 to suspend SGAR products, which commenced a targeted 6-week consultation with product holders and state and territory authorities.
During this consultation, state and territory chemical coordinators advised that declaring SGARs as RCPs would provide the most robust legal framework for ensuring access can be restricted to licensed and authorised users in a nationally consistent manner.
Suspension decision
In parallel with the RCP certification, the APVMA has also announced that the registration of all products containing SGARs will be suspended for one year from 24 March 2026.
The suspension will allow stricter controls on the use of SGARs to be implemented quickly, while broader measures to support the potential RCP declaration are progressed.
Between 16 December 2025 and 27 January 2026, the APVMA consulted with state and territory authorities and holders of affected products on the proposed suspension. Fourteen submissions were received.
After carefully reviewing the submissions, the APVMA’s risk conclusions remain unchanged. The APVMA had determined that the current use of SGAR products presents unacceptable risks to non-target animals*, including native wildlife.
During the suspension period, SGAR products may only be supplied or used in accordance with the instructions published in the APVMA Gazette No 5, Tuesday 10 March 2026, or as specified in the notice issued to each product holder.
These instructions are enforceable under state and territory legislation and apply nationally.
The suspension introduces strong risk mitigation measures to protect Australia’s native fauna, pets and livestock while the APVMA finalises its full regulatory consideration of first- and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.
Reconsideration
Public consultation on the proposed reconsideration decisions on all anticoagulant rodenticide products remains open until 16 March 2026.
The proposed decisions include a range of restrictions on how and where all anticoagulant rodenticide products, including first-generation products, may be used. These restrictions are designed to reduce risks to people and non-target animals. The APVMA has also proposed cancelling specific products that pose an unacceptable risk.
Further information is available on our website, including details of the consultation period and guidance on how to make a submission.
*Referred to throughout the scientific, technical and decision reports, non-target animals include native wildlife such as birds and marsupials, pets and livestock.
** SGARs – These are products containing the active ingredients: brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, difethialone and floucoumafen.