Prohibit the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides
The use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGARs) has injured and killed thousands of wild animals who become sick or die as a result of consuming poisoned mice, rats, and other small rodents.
While recent changes to the law reduce the likelihood that a child or companion animal will ingest rodent poison, nothing protects predatory and scavenging birds and mammals from consuming dead or dying poisoned rodents and becoming ill themselves.
Voices of Wildlife is part of the team working to pass House Bill 326, sponsored by Representatives Cannon and Darby, to prohibit the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in New Hampshire.
The bill hearing is scheduled for Tue., January 24 at 1:30 pm before the House Environment and Agriculture Committee in the Legislative Office Building Room 301–303.
Take this easy action to protect important wildlife species from poisons
Background
New Hampshire wildlife rehabilitators have seen a dramatic increase in sick owls and other predators. Hemorrhaging and seizures are just two of the painful ways they die.
Increased deaths among predatory and scavenging birds and mammals are due in part to “second-generation” anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs).
These poisons were developed in the 1970s when rodents became resistant to the older, “first-generation” poisons. Second-generation poisons kill faster and remain in animal tissues longer, posing a greater risk to owls, bald eagles, foxes, and other nontarget species who consume the poisoned rodents.
Bald eagles and other birds of prey who provide “natural pest control” by eating mice and rats are instead becoming sick and dying because their food is being poisoned.
While second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides are no longer sold in consumer-size quantities, these potent poisons can still be purchased and are used by licensed pest control professionals.
And pest control companies deploy rodent poison everywhere, concealed in nondescript black boxes and fake rocks that are regularly re-filled to continue poisoning wildlife.
Pest control companies that supply poison bait stations make money by not solving a rodent problem. Attracted by the bait, rodents keep coming, and the pest control company’s customers keep paying.
As a former pest control professional told Salon.com:
As a commercial salesman, the biggest commission comes from rodenticide subscriptions… [That’s why they] don’t care what their product does to the environment.
If passed into law, House Bill 326 would prohibit the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, except in certain cases. Their use would still be allowed for certain agriculture activities and to protect public health when no adequate alternative exists.
