Rodenticide Free BC has launched a petition asking for a “long-overdue” ban on rat poisons in British Columbia.
Rodenticides, also known as rat poisons, are ingestible pesticides used to kill rats, mice and other target rodents. The petition says these products are inhumane, pose serious threats to animals including family pets and wildlife species, the environment, and to human health, while at the same time failing to control rodent populations over the long-term.
A broad spectrum of animals beyond targeted pests, including wildlife and family pets, are affected through direct or secondary ingestion, the petition says. Animals that ingest rodenticides experience great pain and suffering over a period of days or weeks, most often leading to death.
The petition says there are alternatives to rodenticides. Novel approaches to rodent control are currently being developed and implemented. The District of North Vancouver has recently tested the efficacy of Goodnature traps to address rodent problems and found this method to be promising.
Municipalities across B.C. have prohibited the use of rodenticides on city-owned properties and have formally demanded that the provincial government take action. However, the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has not addressed these demands.
Read the whole petition here.
Read some of our coverage related to this issue here and here.
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