Pest Management Professional, February 2019
REGULATORY REPORT By Diane Sofranec PMP Senior Editor Rodenticide regulations may tighten in California P est management professionals PMPs who operate in California are well aware the state has some of the toughest regulations regarding chemicals and the environment For instance over the past three years the pest management industry defeated bills that would ban all rodenticides in California says Jake Plevelich director of public policy National Pest Management Association NPMA Currently rodenticides are on the radar of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation DPR the agency responsible for regulating the sale and use of pesticides in an effort to protect the environment and public health in the state In November the DPR announced plans to reevaluate second generation anticoagulant rodenticides SGARs brodifacoum bromadiolone difenacoum and difethialone Activist groups and their lawyers presented data and studies that led to the DPRs decision to once again reevaluate SGARs according to the NPMA These groups maintain that SGARs may have an adverse impact on non target animals The last time SGARs were reevaluated in 2014 they were designated Restricted Materials and subject to an additional use restriction At that time it was decided they only could be used within 50 feet of a structure The NPMA is working with the Pest Control Operators of California PCOC manufacturers and others to oppose the proposed reevaluation In January the NPMA submitted to the DPR comments outlining its stand on the issue The comments stated in part that SGARs are an indispensable tool used by the structural pest management industry to protect the public from the negative health impacts of rodents and the consideration of additional restrictions on the use of these tools should not be entered into lightly We believe that the data and studies presented to DPR which triggered this proposed action are biased and should not trigger or warrant the reevaluation process The NPMAs comments referenced research supporting its position that SGARs protect Californians from rodent infestations that can lead to diseases and economic disaster PMP You can reach SOFRANEC at dsofranec@ northcoastmedia net or 216 706 3793 28 February 2019 Pest Management Professional mypmp net
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