Support a state-wide ban against anticoagulant rodenticides

[Toshia McCabe]

The Massachusetts State Pesticide Subcommittee recently hired an independent party to review data on the impact of second generation rodenticides (SGARs) on non-target species. The issue at hand is that SGARs have become a popular rat poison, and they are getting into the ecosystem -- killing eagles, owls, hawks, foxes, and other animals at an alarming rate.

There is a bill making its way through the state house. But this is a different approach to the problem, and it was initiated by organizations such as Harvard Law School, Cape Ann Wildlife, Friends of Horn Pond, and Save Arlington Wildlife. The Pesticide Subcommittee is charged with approving or disapproving the use of specific pesticides across the state. The idea is to get the Pesticide Subcommittee to suspend the registration of these chemicals. It's been an uphill battle, so say the least.

Subcommittee is having a hearing THIS WEDNESDAY, March 18th.

The hearing is on ZOOM and takes place from 1-3pm. You can sign up to offer public comments. Even if you don't want to comment, if you're free consider just BEARING WITNESS as that is still so important. We need every person who is available there.

Written public comments are due BY FRIDAY to the Board. Email Taryn LaScola at taryn....@mass.gov.

 More info and Zoom link available on this page: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-pesticide-board-subcommittee

Sincerely,

Toshia McCabe

Arlington, MA