ACTION ALERT: Rodenticide changes are coming, BC wants your say

The Government of British Columbia is considering heavily restricting second-generation anti-coagulant rodenticides (SGARs) and wants to hear from you.

Rodenticides are poisons used to kill rodents such as rats and mice. While typically placed inside enclosed traps, non-target animals can access the poison (primary poisoning), and many species who prey on rodents become ill, suffer and die as a result of consuming rodents who were already poisoned (secondary poisoning). The impact on wildlife from SGARs is well documented, and prohibitions in jurisdictions like California are already in place.

SGARs specifically were easily available and accessible in British Columbia until a temporary ban was put in place, directly in response to the harm caused to wildlife.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change released this week an Intentions Paper, which “considers a science review, regulatory gap analysis and a jurisdictional scan of how SGARs are regulated internationally.”

While there are many exceptions that allow the use of SGARs in the Intentions Paper, the proposed policy would heavily restrict access to SGARs to certified and trained users within specific industries. Average homeowners or businesses would not be able to legally purchase SGARs or use them.

TAKE ACTION

The Fur-Bearers are encouraging BC residents to comment on the Intentions Paper and provide feedback supporting the restrictions. We also encourage residents to note that vulnerable birds of prey and other species can and do thrive in many habitats, including urban ones, therefore removing SGARs from all habitats is ideal.