April 12, 2021 Response for Minister of Environment and Climate Change

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Reference:  375549i 
  
April 19, 2021 
  
Peter Luckham, Chair 
Islands Trust Council 
Email:  pluckham@islandstrust.bc.ca 
  
Dear Peter Luckham: 
  
Thank you for your letter April 12, 2021, regarding the use of anticoagulant rodenticides and 
requesting a ban on their use in British Columbia. I share your concerns regarding the protection 
of wildlife in our province and I appreciate that you requested action on this important topic.  
  
I am aware that anticoagulant rodenticides pose unintended risks to wildlife in B.C. through 
primary and secondary poisoning. I am also aware of reports in 2020 regarding owl deaths as a 
result of their use. My ministry maintains a commitment to protect wildlife from adverse impacts 
resulting from pesticide use. Ministry staff are taking action to address risks associated with the 
use of these products, including increasing compliance verification of current Integrated Pest 
Management Regulation requirements; raising awareness with rodenticide users on the impacts 
of misusing rodenticides; coordinating with provincial wildlife experts and Canadian Wildlife 
Service staff; and developing education materials for the public and pest control operators to 
better manage rodents within an integrated pest management system.  
  
I have asked ministry staff to develop options for improvements to how rodenticides are 
regulated in B.C., including consideration of bans, and I will write back to you with details on 
our next steps once they have been determined.  
  
Thank you again for taking the time to write and participating in our efforts to protect wildlife. 
  
Sincerely, 
  
  
George Heyman 
Minister

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