Association Leads Coalition Opposing CDPR Tightening of Rodenticide Regs

 The Association and twelve other agricultural organizations submitted comments to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) on proposed changes to the state’s anticoagulant rodenticide regulations this past week.  The coalition outright opposed the requirement for a “Sustainable Rodent Management Plan” and the proposed time limitation of 35 consecutive days for the application of rodenticides and 105 total days in a calendar year for the application of a rodenticide.  The coalition cited numerous state and federal laws, as well as food safety schemes like BRC and SQF, as conflicting with these limitations.  The coalition also highlighted the unprecedented rodent population explosion currently occurring throughout the state as a reason to check the momentum on any proposed changes.  The changes are being pushed by animal activist groups that believe anticoagulant rodenticides are poisoning wildlife as a result of secondary impacts.  The coalition consisted of the Western Tree Nut Association, California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association, California Apple Commission, Nisei Famers League, African American Farmers of California, California Blueberry Commission, California Blueberry Association, Milk Producers Council, Fresno County Farm Bureau, Olive Oil Commission of California, California Wild Rice Advisory Board, Madera County Farm Bureau, and the Olive Growers Council of California.