Rodents like House mice, Norway rats and roof rats are one of the biggest threats to food safety and sanitation since they spread E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and other illnesses carried in their feces, urine, and saliva. Rodenticides are primary and effective first-line of defense against rodent infiltrations. Eliminating these rodent control methods without an equally effective and viable alternative puts the very real dangers of rodent contamination and diseases back on the table.
In February 2016, a Rodenticide Act in California was proposed as an amendment to Section 23978.7 of the Food and Agricultural Code. The Rodenticide Act would significantly reduce effective rodent control measures in place for professional (and non-professional) pest control providers by eliminating the use of rodenticides.
As an expansion and revision to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), this amendment would incite additional regulations to protect humans (primarily small children under the age of 6), domesticated animals, the environment and non-targeted wildlife against potentially harmful rodenticides.
The Rodenticide Act would ban the use of first and second-generation anticoagulants used for rodent control in the state of California. This includes a ban on a non-anticoagulant, cholecalciferol, the only rodenticide active ingredient that is approved for organic facilities.
How Does the Rodenticide Act in California Affect You?
Even if you don’t live in California, the Rodenticide Act could affect you in two major ways:
- The Rodenticide Act may spawn similar acts in other states, mitigating or eliminating the most effective means of rodent control available.
- If the Rodenticide Act is passed in California, there may be heightened concerns and legitimate safety issues regarding rodent-related contamination and illnesses, particularly in food & beverage industries.
Federal and state laws require proper pest control sanitation across all channels of food production, storage and distribution. Those in the pest management industry know the important role rodenticides play in protecting humans through food safety. The right pest management solution is vital to protecting your customers and your brand.
No matter what happens in the pest management industry, Copesan stays on the cutting edge of changing regulations, revolutionary products, and improved methodologies. We continually provide our customers with the very best pest management solutions available, while tailoring each solution to their unique needs.