As more and more municipalities spread the word and move forward with public bans on the use anticoagulant rodenticides, I am thankful to all of you for your support over this past year. But we have a long way to go for a Provincial Ban of these poisons. Please continue to share this petition and WRITE to Minister Heyman declaring the urgency of this situation. Our owls and all other wildlife thank you!

Today I received a response from Minister Heyman. I have included it below:

March 24, 2021

Dear Yasmin Abidi:

Thank you for your letter of February 24, 2021, sharing your petition for a ban on anticoagulant rodenticides in British Columbia.

I am aware that anticoagulant rodenticides pose unintended risks to wildlife in B.C. through primary and secondary poisoning and I am aware of reports in 2020 regarding owl deaths as a result of their use. My ministry maintains a commitment to protect wildlife from adverse impacts resulting from pesticide use.

Ministry staff are taking action to address risks associated with the use of these products, including increasing compliance verification of current Integrated Pest Management Regulation (IPMR) requirements; raising awareness with rodenticide users on the impacts of misusing rodenticides; coordinating with provincial wildlife experts and Canadian Wildlife Service staff; and developing education materials for the public and pest control operators to better manage rodents within an integrated pest management system.

I have asked ministry staff to develop options for improvements to how rodenticides are regulated in B.C., including consideration of bans. Any proposed changes to the IPMR where the ministry would be engaging the public would be posted on our website at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/pesticides-pest-management/legislation-consultation

Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

George Heyman

Minister