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AB 1788 UPDATE

On Aug 27, 2019

SIGN PETITION TO GOVERNOR NEWSOM AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!

In August, 2019, AB 1788 legislation targeting dangerous rodenticides (rat poisons) in California was nearing its final Senate Committee approval and would eventually arrive on the governor’s desk pending his signature. However, there was a disappointing setback.

More time was required to allow the coalition of environmental advocates to work with state agencies to ensure that the bill would not only pass, but it would be effective and enforceable from day one. At author Richard Bloom’s (CA State Assemblymember / District 50) request, the bill was converted to a two-year bill.

A two-year bill is one that is “introduced early in first half of two-year session but is delayed
and can’t meet deadlines to clear both houses before interim recess in mid-September.
These bills must clear the house of origin by January 31 of the second year or they die.”

Bloom’s AB 1788 “would create the California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2019 and expand this prohibition against the use of a pesticide containing specified anticoagulants in wildlife habitat areas within the entire state.” Coauthors of the bill included Assemblymember Laura Friedman / District 43 and CA Senator Henry Stern / 27th District. Exemptions built into the bill would have protected agriculture, activities in certain locations as well as public health exceptions. This commonsense approach to unrestricted poisoning of wildlife near community centers was cancelled by the bill’s author (Bloom) as it went before the final CA committee prior to a full senate vote.

In the meantime a statewide coalition of environmental advocates will continue to rally public support for the eventual passage of AB 1788. These organizations include the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), Raptors are the Solution (RATS), Poison Free Malibu, Citizens for Los Angeles Wildlife (CLAW), Social Compassion in Legislation, Project Coyote, Humane Society of the United States, WildEarth Guardians, Wildlife Emergency Services and Friends of Griffith Park (FoGP). It must be noted that while AB 1788 has received widespread support from individuals and organizations concerned about indiscriminate poisoning of wildlife populations, there was strong opposition from the pest control industry which ultimately jeopardized successful passage of this bill.

Friends of Griffith Park would like to thank all who either sent letters or made phone calls in support of AB 1788. The coalition will continue its efforts to get the bill passed during the next legislative session. Your support helped AB 1788 to pass through six different committee and floor votes in the California legislature. This is the farthest a rodenticide bill has ever gone, and the coalition is determined to build on the momentum to ensure that the bill passes in 2020.

We’re asked how folks can continue to stay involved in the process,
so here are a few suggestions:

  • Ask your local hardware stores not to stock/sell rodenticides. There are alternatives and we’ve discussed some of these in articles on our website, including https://friendsofgriffithpark.org/breaking-the-poison-chain/
  • Talk to your elected officials. If you’re attending an event and you find yourself face-to-face with a councilmember or representative, strike up a conversation and let them know of your concerns.
  • Support organizations that support this legislation! There are many organizations purporting to help the environment, but if you don’t see your favorite non-profit on the list, ask if they DO support a ban on rodenticides. If they have no response, take the conversation further.

If you’re interested in taking further steps to protect wildlife from these rat super toxins, go to Animal Legal Defense Fund’s online petition: https://aldf.org/article/urge-governor-newsom-to-protect-wildlife-from-super-toxic-rat-poisons/

Comments

15 Comments

  1. Gina Slattery

    Please ban the poisons. There are other ways to manage rodent populations without also harming their own natural predators and our pets.

    Reply
  2. Janet Gough

    Please stop the use of rodenticides!

    Reply
  3. Lucille Williams

    Please ban rodenticides.

    Reply
  4. Hans Schurig

    I agree. Ban rodenticides now.

    Reply
  5. Donna Cipriano

    Please stop rodenticides they kill our wildlife and domestic animals…it’s inhumane…our wildlife has enough challenges to live why give them more!

    Reply
  6. justine arteta

    please ban rodenticides. our fauna and flora needs our love, not poison.
    thank you

    Reply
  7. STACIE SURABIAN

    Please ban rodenticides and protect our local wildlife!

    Reply
  8. NAOMI KOBRIN

    In my yard this year, I’ve watched a family of owls raise 2 healthy owlets. My fear that a poisoned rat will inadvertently be brought home to them has caused untold anxiety.. The thoughtless act of laying down poison has horrifying impact on the extraordinary wildlife we share Los Angeles with. they are residents and have rights as well. If we were subject to un unseen, instantly life threatening poison, this would not be a question.
    Ban it!

    Reply
  9. Jennifer Brennan

    Ban all poison….there is no place in society for rodenticides!!

    Reply
  10. Darren Frankel

    Please make this cruel and harmful practice stop.

    Reply
  11. Judith sunga

    Please ban rodenticides!

    Reply
  12. Beege Barkette

    Rodenticide has a violently negative impact on all living things , Including humans . We need to end it’s use . Stop selling it .

    Reply
  13. Karina Golumbic

    For animal survival it is a must .

    Reply
  14. Angela Gygi

    We are in a massive species extinction era and we must do everything we can to slow damage to our environment and wildlife. Poisons are hopelessly outdated and ineffectual, and seriously dangerous. And they are now in our groundwater. There are many good strategies to control pest problems which would have the added benefit of strengthening desirable wildlife and biodiversity. We are way past time to rethink our way of doing things, so please make every effort to make this essential change. No more.

    Reply
  15. victoria smith

    it’s time to ban rodenticides. they travel far down the food chain, killing wildlife and domestic animals alike. a poisoned rat is easy pickings for any wild animal or housecat, and will take a tremendous toll on the health of, if not outright kill the animal preying on them.
    WILDLIFE HAS ENOUGH CHALLENGES TO SURVIVAL without the use of this cruel and inhumane poison.

    Reply

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