On November 22, 2024, EPA released the final biological evaluation (BE) on rodenticides. The following highlights are important:

• This docket update includes the final BE and associated response to comments for 11 rodenticide active ingredients.
• The 11 rodenticides include: chlorophacinone; diphacinone and its sodium salt; warfarin and its sodium salt; brodifacoum; bromadiolone; difenacoum; difethialone; bromethalin; cholecalciferol; strychnine; and zinc phosphide.
• Mitigation measures described in the BE will also serve as the Rodenticide Strategy for purposes of the ESA.
• EPA's final BE finds that the currently labeled uses of the 11 rodenticides evaluated in this assessment remained the same as those in the draft BE, and:
  • Will have no effect on 88% of species and 95% percent of critical habitats;
  • Are not likely to adversely affect 4-11% of species and 1% of critical habitats;
  • Are likely to adversely affect 1-8% of listed species and 4% of critical habitats; and
  • There is a likelihood of future Jeopardy/Adverse Modification (J/AM) in less than 5% of listed species and less than 1% of critical habitats.
• The Rodenticide Strategy does not impose requirements on pesticide use. Any mitigation measures would only apply in certain geographic areas found on Bulletins Live! Two and as part of the label language from the registration.  Not all the mitigation measures are needed for every use or product. Rather, EPA expects to choose when they are needed.
• From this point, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will use this effects determination in their biological opinion.

For additional information, see Regulations.gov.  For questions, contact Lauren Lurkins.