Witnesses urge support for H.326 to restrict anticoagulant rodenticides, cite wildlife harms

Members of the Vermont House Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, & Forestry heard testimony urging the committee to support H.326, legislation to restrict the use of first- and second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides in the state.

Laura Ireland, a professor who teaches animal law and policy at Vermont Law and Graduate School, told the committee: "The scientific evidence, is overwhelmingly demonstrates that first and second generation anticoagulant rodenticides are toxic chemicals that are inhumane and pose significant threats to our wildlife and I urge you to support this important legislation." She said the poisons work "by interfering with an animal's ability to clot blood causing a slow and painful death due to internal bleeding." Ireland recommended non‑toxic approaches and said she would provide studies and connect the committee with additional experts.

John Magaranas, a retired U.S. Army veterinary technician and retired animal control officer, recounted field experience bringing poisoned wildlife to Tufts Wildlife Clinic. He described finding a surviving young great horned owl that later could not be saved: "Both of them were put to sleep at Tufts Wildlife Clinic because they just weren't responding to the vitamin k treatment." Magaranas said he used snap traps and other nonpoison options and questioned the merit of broad environmental poisoning that can sicken predators that naturally control rodents.

Anna Morris, director of wildlife ambassador programs at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINZ) and a raptor biologist, summarized regional studies and VINZ intake data. She said a New York study tested 265 birds of prey and found detectable rodenticide in 49 percent. Morris told the committee VINZ treats roughly 1,000 birds a year and that "between 10 and 15" of those annually likely respond to vitamin K treatment consistent with anticoagulant poisoning.

Witnesses differentiated first‑generation anticoagulants, which typically require multiple feedings to be lethal, from second‑generation anticoagulants, which can kill after a single feeding and are more prone to cause secondary poisoning. Morris noted non‑anticoagulant products such as cholecalciferol break down faster in the environment but said those alternatives are less studied.

Committee members asked about toxicosis thresholds, monitoring, and whether misuse (improper bait stations, failing to remove dead rodents) drives environmental exposure. Witnesses said some exposures result from unmonitored bait stations and that product persistence in animal livers can lead to secondary poisoning of owls, hawks, foxes, bobcats and other predators.

Committee staff and members indicated the committee will take additional testimony, including from Vermont Fish & Wildlife, pest management professionals, grocery industry representatives, and regional wildlife clinics. No formal action on H.326 was taken at the hearing.

The committee collected written testimony and witnesses said they would provide research citations and contacts, including Tufts Wildlife Clinic and regional wildlife rehabilitators, for further review.