LAID IN Britain, an assurance scheme for hens' eggs, has been approved by the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime as proof of competence for the purchase of professional use rodenticides.

In common with nine more schemes, farmers with an assurance certificate are eligible to purchase professional use rodenticides with stewardship labels. This scheme-based approval applies until December 31, 2017.

The 10 stewardship-approved assurance schemes are:

• Laid in Britain (hens' eggs);

• Red Tractor Farm Assurance (beef, lamb, dairy, combinable crops, sugar beet, fresh produce, pigs, poultry);

• Quality Meat Scotland (cattle, sheep, pigs);

• Farm Assured Welsh Livestock (beef, lamb);

• Scottish Quality Crops;

• Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (beef, lamb, cereals);

• British Egg Industry Council Code of Practice for Lion Eggs;

• Duck Assurance Scheme (breeder replacements, breeder layers, hatcheries, table birds including free range);

• Quality British Turkey;

• Agricultural Industries Confederation including TASCC (combinable crops, animal feeds).

This cornerstone of the stewardship regime applies via all suppliers including internet, according to regime figurehead Dr Alan Buckle. On October 1 this year, showing proof of competence and ID became mandatory in the purchase of professional use rodenticides with stewardship labels.

Guidance for farmers can be found at ahdb.org.uk/projects/RodentControlHub.aspx, and for gamekeepers and pest controllers from their own professional bodies. A rodenticide stewardship Q and A document can be downloaded from www.thinkwildlife.org.