A review of existing and potential New World and Australasian vertebrate pesticides with a rationale for linking use patterns to registration requirements

Authors

Charles T. Eason, Department of Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand
Kathleen A. Fagerstone, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center
John D. Eisemann, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Simon Humphrys, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 48 Oxford Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5061, Australia
Jeanette R. O’Hare, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research Center
Steven J. Lapidge, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, 48 Oxford Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5061, Australia

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

6-2010

Comments

Published in International Journal of Pest Management Vol. 56, No. 2, April–June 2010, 109–125.

Abstract

Registration is a necessarily sophisticated evaluation process applied to vertebrate pesticide products. Although conducted to minimize any potential impacts upon public health, the environment and food production, the all-encompassing process of registration can stifle innovation. Vertebrate pesticides are rarely used to control pest animals in food crops. In contrast to agrochemicals, relatively small amounts of vertebrate pesticides are used (50.1%), usually in solid or paste baits, and generally by discrete application methods rather than by broad-scale spray applications. We present a hierarchy or sliding scale of typical data requirements relative to application techniques, to help clarify an evolving science-based approach which focuses on requiring data to address key scientific questions while allowing waivers where additional data have minor value. Such an approach will facilitate the development and delivery of increasingly humane, species-targeted, low residue pesticides in the New World, along with the phasing out of less desirable chemicals that continue to be used due to a lack of alternatives.