SenesTech has received approval in California for the extended use of ContraPest at Lundberg Farms

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Image: SenesTech wins approval for extended use of ContraPest in California. Photo: Courtesy of Hebi B./Pixabay.

Agricultural biotechnology and life sciences company SenesTech has secured an approval from the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) for the extended use of ContraPest in agricultural settings in California.

With the approval, SenesTech expects expanded sales to agricultural customers. CCOF has approved ContraPest’s use at Lundberg Farms, one of the largest organic rice farming operations in California.

Organic farming and food production in California is among the growing markets, producing 90% of the nation’s organic farming output.

Lundberg Farms is one of the largest producers of organic rice and quinoa in the US. It is presently preparing for first harvest and processing of 100 million pounds of rice and one-and-a-half million pounds of quinoa this fall.

The farm has selected ContraPest, which is claimed to be an effective, poison-free solution in their IPM programme for rodent control. Consumption at initial ContraPest stations has been dramatic and the farm is planning to immediately expand the use across the facility.

SenesTech co-founder and chief scientific officer Loretta Mayer said: “I personally visited the organic and sustainable Lundberg Farms operation this week where they are preparing for their first harvest this year.

“The facility currently has over 1,000 snap traps and stations in this location alone and we intend to replace any poison stations with our product.

“Our data suggests that ContraPest will help to significantly reduce grain loss as rat populations decline.”

Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had approved SenesTech’s request to waive an experimental use permit at a private poultry farm. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) followed with its approval on 11 September.

The company is planning take up a project to investigate different deployment ‘feeders’ to determine the optimal strategy to deploy ContraPest at that environment.

It will also collect consumption data and population data in cooperate with the facility and its pest management professional. SenesTech expects to begin the tests immediately.

SenesTech scientific operations and technical service vice president Brandy Pyzyna said: “In this project, in addition to standard bait box deployments of ContraPest, we will test alternative deployment methods, seeking to mimic how the rats are currently feeding from the facility’s water and feed receptacles.

“This broadens ContraPest’s utility under many different application scenarios. Hence, we should be able to demonstrate deployment efficiency within six months, with the opportunity for collecting additional efficacy and efficiency data for an additional six months.”