Stop the Rollback on Rodenticide Protections

Barn Owls (by Teresa Cheng) are often the unintended victims of rodenticides.

What is Happening?

On September 24, 2025, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) held a hearing on new rules for anticoagulant rodenticides, the powerful rat poisons we fought to limit through recent state laws.

However, instead of strengthening protections, DPR is proposing a major rollback. Their plan would allow these poisons to be used for more than 100 days each year, reopening the door to widespread contamination. This goes against California’s commitment to protect wildlife, pets, and even children from these harmful chemicals.

Why Does This Matters?

Anticoagulant rodenticides are indiscriminate, bioaccumulative poisons. They don’t only kill rats, they poison owls, hawks, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, and domestic pets, causing internal bleeding and long-term illness or death. In California, these poisons have been documented in coyotes, foxes, owls and hawks and many other raptors and carnivores that naturally control rodent populations.

California has already passed three critical wildlife protection laws between 2020–2023: 

  • AB 1788 – First statewide restrictions on second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides,

  • AB 2552 (Poison-Free Wildlife Act) – Strengthened protections and mandated safer practices, and

  • AB 1322 – Closed loopholes and updated labeling & enforcement.

DPR’s proposal undermines these laws by reopening pathways for routine, widespread poison use, without emergency justification.

What You Can Do? Send a Comment by November 8

Here is the form for the comment: https://cdpr.commentinput.com/?id=JsSRaG6NA

Tell DPR that

  • No anticoagulant rodenticides should be allowed, except during a declared public health or environmental emergency (current law),

  • No rollback of AB 1788, AB 2552, or AB 1322 is acceptable, and

  • California must invest in ecological rodent control to protect raptors and predators, not more poison.

Talking Points to Include

  • Anticoagulants are toxic and non-selective, killing the very wildlife that naturally controls rodents.

  • DPR is legally obligated to protect wildlife, not poison it.

  • Allowing >100 days of poison use ensures continued contamination of predators, pets, and ecosystems.

  • Californians have already demanded poison-free solutions, so DPR must honor the law.

Thank you for raising your voice for owls, hawks, foxes, and all wildlife. Public pressure stopped these poisons before, and can do it again.