Lankford Challenges EPA Restrictions

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) to challenge Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) efforts to restrict the use of rodenticides, claiming the proposed mitigation measures could endanger the nation’s food supply, public health, and property. The letter encourages EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan to work with rodenticide producers and users to develop science-based policies that would allow continued use of 11 rodent control products. In November 2022, the EPA proposed mitigation measures for rodenticides.

“The proposed mitigation measures would place severe restrictions on the use of rodenticides, hampering the ability of growers, consumers, pest control operators, restaurants, other food handling establishments, schools, health care facilities, and businesses to control rats, mice, and other rodents,” the Senators wrote. “They would also complicate compliance with food safety regulations that require rodent control. Rather than protecting the environment, limiting access to vital rodenticides would harm the American food supply, public health, animal health and welfare, and infrastructure.”

The letter was also signed by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), John Barrasso (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Jim Risch (R-ID), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Katie Britt (R-AL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Thune (R-SD), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

The Senators’ concerns about the proposed mitigation measures are based on the fact they would, among other things: classify most of the products as restricted use pesticides; require that users become licensed, state-certified applicators; prohibit current surface (non-bait station) application methods used to protect many crops; and require growers to conduct carcass searches for two weeks after application. Rodents are responsible for millions of dollars in damages to field crops, stored grain, and farm equipment annually, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The pest can also spread over 60 diseases to humans, companion animals, and livestock.

Read the letter here or below.

Dear Administrator Regan:

We are writing on behalf of growers, pest control operators, and consumers in our states who are concerned about the consequences if EPA moves forward with its November 29, 2022, proposed mitigation measures for the 11 rodenticides. We encourage you to take the time to work with stakeholders to ensure that any new mitigation measures for these products do not jeopardize the ability of users to protect the food supply, public health, property, and infrastructure. Any new measures should be based on sound science and must recognize the significant benefits that the products provide.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, rodents are responsible for millions of dollars in damages to field crops, stored grain, and farm equipment annually. They can also spread over 60 diseases to humans, companion animals, and livestock.’ The proposed mitigation measures would place severe restrictions on the use of rodenticides, hampering the ability of growers, consumers, pest control operators, restaurants, other food handling establishments, schools, health care facilities, and businesses to control rats, mice, and other rodents. They would also complicate compliance with food safety regulations that require rodent control. Rather than protecting the environment, limiting access to vital rodenticides would harm the American food supply, public health, animal health and welfare, and infrastructure. The proposed measures would also hamper environmental justice efforts by increasing the cost of rodent control and making food more expensive for those who can least afford it.

These proposed mitigation measures include: classifying most of the products as restricted use pesticides; requiring that users of these products become licensed, state-certified applicators; requiring the use of respirators for many products; prohibiting the surface (non-bait station) application methods currently used to protect many crops; and requiring growers to conduct carcass searches for two weeks after application. Stipulating that the applicator consult with Bulletins Live! Two, prior to rodenticide application, could also result in additional limitations on product use based on location.

We strongly encourage the EPA to work with rodenticide registrants and product users to ensure that any new mitigation measures are practical, science-based, and allow continued access to these essential pest control tools. As written, the proposed mitigation measures will result in crop damage and livestock loss, jeopardize the safety of the food supply, weaken public health protections, and make it more difficult for people to protect their homes and property from rodents.

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