British Columbia: The British Columbia province has permanently banned the widespread sale and use of rat poison.
Last year in July, the province had banned the sale of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) for 18-month to reduce risk of poisoning to animals.
After reviewing almost 1,600 consultation responses, the permanent ban will come into force on January 21, 2023 in align with the end of the temporary ban.
The province in a statement said that the regulation will prohibit the sale and use of SGARs in B.C. for all members of the public, and most commercial and industrial operations. Only select sectors deemed “essential services,” such as hospitals and food production, will be able to purchase and use SGARs, provided they meet the requirements or hire a licensed pest-control company contracted to do this work.
This will include holding a certificate and licence, having a site-specific integrated pest-management plan and recording its use.
The authorities said that this will dwindle use of pesticides and businesses will have to restore to other methods like traps, less toxic rodenticide alternatives and removing food sources.