Minister of Environment and Climate Change re Request that the Province of British Columbia Introduce a Province-wide Ban on the use of Rodenticides

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200 – 1627 Fort Street, Victoria BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone  (250) 405-5151    Fax  (250) 405-5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 660-2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  information@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
 
 
Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
April 12, 2021         File No: 0110-20 
 
Via Email:   ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca 
 
The Honourable George Heyman 
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy 
Room 112 Parliament Buildings  
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 
 
Dear Minister Heyman: 
 
Re: Rodenticide Free British Columbia 
 
I am writing on behalf of the Islands Trust Council to request that the Province of British Columbia 
introduce a Province-wide ban on the use of rodenticides to increase protection for wildlife species.  
 
At the Islands Trust Council meeting on March 11, 2021, during a presentation by Rodenticide Free BC, 
we learned that over the last decade numerous wildlife organizations and animal welfare groups have 
noted that anticoagulant rodenticides used to kill rats, mice, and other target rodents poison 
non-targeted species at all levels of the food chain. We are concerned that while the B.C. government 
acknowledges that these rodenticides are highly toxic and present a moderate to high risk of secondary 
poisoning to other animals and birds of prey, the B.C. Integrated Pest Management Act, SBC 2003, c. 
58 (“IPMA”) permits their continued use.  
 
Species that have been significantly impacted by these rodenticides include eagles, owls, hawks, small 
birds, earthworms, coyotes, cougars, as well as children and family pets.  We learned that researchers in 
the U.S. have recently measured traceable levels of ingestible rodenticides in the milk supply. In the pest 
management industry, rodenticides are recognized as only a short-term solution. Other preventative 
measures, including remediating structural access points, are known to be far more effective in reducing 
pest issues over the long term.  
 
We understand the use of a popular rodenticide, bromadiolone, has increased 279% over a recent 
12-year period.  Not unexpectedly, countless reports of dead or dying eagles, owls, hawks, and other 
raptors have been published in the media over the past several months. In response to growing public 
concern, numerous municipalities across British Columbia have banned anticoagulant rodenticides on 
city-owned properties and are calling for a province-wide ban of these rodenticides, as they lack the 
necessary jurisdiction.  Over thirty animal, wildlife, and environmental protection organizations have 
publicly endorsed this ban.  
 
 
 
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Minister Heyman 
April 12, 2021 
Page 2  
 
 
Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola  Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
 
 
We would like to join this call for change by requesting a Province-wide ban on the us

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