Rat Poison

image of Rat Poison

Owls, kites and other birds of prey are dying from eating rats and mice that have ingested so-called Second Generation rodent poisons. These household products – including Talon brand rat and mice pellets – have been banned from general public sale in the US, Canada and EU, but remain are available from supermarkets throughout Australia.

The use of these dangerous chemicals is being reviewed right now and you can make a submission to help get them off supermarket shelves make sure only licenced operators can access them.

Owls, kites and other birds of prey are dying from eating rats and mice that have ingested so-called Second Generation rodent poisons. These household products – including Talon brand rat and mice pellets – have been banned from general public sale in the US, Canada and EU, but remain are available from supermarkets throughout Australia.

The use of these dangerous chemicals is being reviewed right now and you can make a submission to help get them off supermarket shelves make sure only licenced operators can access them.

Minister, help us protect Australian animals from dangerous SGARs

Tell the Ministers to act now and ban public sale of toxic SGARs

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Subject:

Dear Minister Collins and Assistant Minister Chisholm,

I am writing to you following the recent findings handed down by the Australian Pesticides And Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), in the hope that you will take the next step in protecting native birds, wildlife, and pets in Australia from the unregulated use of Second-generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs).

These silent killer chemicals are still available on retail shelves and online throughout Australia, despite the well-known associated risks.

Following a years' long review; the recommendation from APVMA states that SGAR products pose an unreasonable risk to non-target species and wildlife and should be classed as Restricted Chemical Products (RCPs). It is clear that action on this recommendation cannot be delayed. I write to seek your urgent action to register SGARs as RCPs and to suspend the public sale of all SGARs immediately.

Following withdrawal of these chemicals from public sale, robust registration and permit systems must be in place to ensure appropriate use and monitoring from licenced and trained professionals only.

Since 2020, scientists have found evidence of SGAR poisoning in 57 native Australian birds, alongside 30 non-target native mammals, and 16 species of native reptile or amphibian. These include Federally threatened species such as Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Norfolk Island Boobook Owl, Tasmanian Devil, and various quolls. You can read the expert open letter here: https://go.birdlife.org.au/sgar-expert-letter

Internationally, stronger regulation has already been implemented to protect American, Canadian, and European wildlife from SGARs, due to similar impacts on animals. It is past time to act.

This simple reform will help ensure our wildlife and local ecosystems are safe from these silent killer rodent poisons, into the future.

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