AB1788, the California Ecosystems Protection Act, which would place a moratorium on the use of second generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) except in cases of public health emergencies, is on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.
The bill, which would be the first to enact a moratorium on super-toxic rodenticides, is sponsored by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) the Center for Biological Diversity, and Raptors Are the Solution (RATs). While all anticoagulant rodenticides have a harmful impact on wildlife, SGARS are particularly dangerous because they have higher potency than prior generations of commercial poisons. A single dose has a half-life of more than 100 days in a rat’s liver. Considering the harmful impact of SGARS on ecosystems, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation banned the use of SGARS by consumers, limiting use to just professional pest control applicators, in 2014.
However, the impact of SGARS on wildlife has not decreased since then, meaning further action must be taken.
For more information on rodenticide’s impact on wildlife, children, and companion animals, as well as ideas on to how to manage rodents without poisons,
For Borregans wishing to support this important legislation to save our wildlife from death by rat poisoning, contact the Governor’s office via email, fax, or phone call.
Email: leg.unit@gov.ca.gov
Fax: 916-558-3160
Mail: 1303 10th St. Suite 1173, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
