Black rat  (Rattus rattus)

The future of this once devastating pest in Britain is now uncertain. Improved hygiene and control measures on ships makes further introductions highly unlikely, and control measures such as poisoning with rodenticides are ever-prevalent, particularly close to human habitation, where this species occurs (4).

The question as to whether this species should now receive a level of protection due to its poor status is a highly contentious issue (4).