In April 2008, the Environment Agency (England and Wales) extended the concession previously only given to famers and gamekeepers, which allowed them to burn or bury small quantities of rodent carcasses in rural areas, to professional pest controllers.

A condition of this extension was that the National Pest Advisory Panel (NPAP) of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health would monitor the situation. The concession was for a trial period of two years. This concession does not apply in Scotland.

The monitoring programme is being conducted with support from the National Pest Technicians Association (NPTA) and the UK Pest Controllers Organisation (UKPCO). Its terms have been agreed with the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Health & Safety Executive.

Please take time to read the details of the scheme, fill out the survey form and send us feedback and comments so that we can justify the extension of the concession when it comes up for renewal in 2010.