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Better rodent control by better regulation: regulatory incentives and regulator support to improve the humaneness of rodent control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

KE Littin*
Affiliation:
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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Abstract

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Regulation by government can act as a constraint to improving the humaneness of rodent control, or it can be used to support improvements. How do we make sure it does one and not the other? Societal support and understanding, economic impacts and current knowledge can all ‘make or break’ progress towards improved rodent control. This is also true in the development of regulations to support this improvement. Moreover, the development of regulations can itself slow progress towards better rodent control. There are many ways that governments, working in a national co-ordination role and as research funders, animal pest managers and regulators, can support a move towards improved rodent control. Progress will depend on finding ways that meet the need to control the impacts of rodents as pests and that are acceptable to citizens and budgets.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2012 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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