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New Hampshire committee hears push to curb powerful rodenticides while preserving professional access
Summary
Lawmakers and witnesses debated two bills to reduce wildlife and pet poisonings from second‑generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Conservation groups urged a ban; industry and agriculture officials urged restricting consumer access and leaving trained applicators able to use products for severe infestations or public‑health needs.
Lawmakers on the Environment and Agriculture Committee heard hours of testimony on HB 1018 and a companion bill, HB 1676, aimed at reducing the use of certain high‑risk rodenticides while preserving tools for licensed professionals.
Representative Catherine Harvey, sponsor of HB 1018, told the committee the poisons cause extended suffering for target animals and persistent secondary poisoning of predators. "It's a very painful and slow death," she said, and cited necropsy results and rehabilitation caseloads to press for restrictions on products that contain several specified active ingredients.
New Hampshire Fish and Game reported widespread exposure in wildlife. Dan Bergeron, chief of Fish and Game's wildlife division, said tests of fox and fisher found rodenticide residues in 34 of 35 animals sampled and noted a multi‑year study of fisher declines that is examining rodenticide exposure…
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