The BC SPCA applauds the province’s decision to temporarily ban rodenticides - BC SPCA
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The BC SPCA applauds the province’s decision to temporarily ban rodenticides

July 21, 2021

UPDATE October 2022: Provincial government announces changes to permanently restrict certain rodenticides
The Provincial government has recently announced permanent changes to Integrated Pest Management Regulation (IPMR), to significantly reduce second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) in B.C. New requirements will prohibit all public and most commercial uses of SGARs in B.C., with limited exemptions.

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Original story: July 21, 2021

The BC SPCA applauds the province’s decision to temporarily ban the sale and use of anticoagulant second-generation rodenticides (SGARs) as the government plans to conduct a scientific review and increase efforts to promote alternatives. Effective July 21, 2021, the ban will be in place for 18 months and allow government to consult stakeholders and review other jurisdictional approaches, like a similar ban in California that took effect earlier this year.

According to a press release issued by the province, in addition to the ban, the Ministry’s Rodenticide Action Plan also includes increasing public awareness of the risks of SGARs, the benefits of alternatives, and the promotion of integrated pest management systems to reduce unnecessary usage of pesticides.

In summer 2020, thousands of BC SPCA supporters sent letters to their local municipal councils in our rodenticide campaign, asking for bans to rodenticide use on city-owned properties. The BC SPCA has been working over the past year with staff in several municipalities to implement the logistics of these new rodenticide bans, as traditional baiting programs have not solved local rodent issues. Rodenticides in the environment can cause harm to local wildlife, pets, and be improperly disposed of, creating other environmental and public health concerns.

“As the provincial ban is temporary for now, it’s important that municipalities still make permanent policy changes for prohibiting rodenticide use on their properties, to demonstrate a permanent provincial ban is the next step needed and is achievable” says Dr. Sara Dubois, BC SPCA chief scientific officer, who adds “supporters can share the news of the provincial ban with their local councils and request they enact local bylaws and policies that are consistent.”

To date, the following municipalities have committed to prohibiting the use of anticoagulant rodenticides on all municipal-owned properties within their jurisdiction:

  • District of North Vancouver
  • City of North Vancouver
  • District of Saanich
  • District of North Saanich
  • City of Port Moody
  • District of Oak Bay
  • City of Richmond (1-year trial for 2021)
  • District of Sooke
  • City of Victoria
  • District of West Vancouver
  • City of Colwood
  • City of New Westminster
  • Town of View Royal
  • City of Salmon Arm
  • Town of Esquimalt
  • Municipality of North Cowichan
  • City of Coquitlam

The following municipalities had already committed to ending the use of rodenticides on municipal property before 2020:

  • District of Metchosin
  • City of Nelson
  • District of Highlands

Your municipality not on the list? See our tips on how to write to your mayor and council to advocate for ending the use of rodenticides locally:

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