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Exciting news on our work to ban rodenticides in Massachusetts! The House bill received a favorable report from the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. This means the bill is now headed to the House Committee on Ways and Means. As you may know, the Senate version of the bill is already being considered by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
This was an important step in the process, but the work isn't over. It's important that we continue to communicate to legislators the impact of anticoagulant rodenticides.
This win means we now get to advocate with other committees. Both the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee will be reviewing the bill. This is a tricky time for the bill because most bills get stopped at this point, especially stand-alone bills.
Therefore, we have switched our strategy!! Our core “ask” of legislators is now… “We ask that you advocate with your colleagues and legislative leadership for the An Act Restricting the Use of Rodenticides in the Environment (H5217/S2721) to be added to the Mass Ready Act, An Act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities (S2542).”
Contact your legislators today!
Join our organizing committee! Joining doesn’t mean you have to commit a lot of time—just help out where you can. Fill out this brief form, and we’ll be in touch.
Note where you see bait boxes like this one in downtown Gloucester. These usually contain SGARs.
At a business: Rescue Gloucester Wildlife are compiling a list of businesses using SGARs so that they can be contacted in an effort to educate them about the threat to wildlife that they pose. Business contact information can be entered here.
On city property: It’s the City of Gloucester’s policy not to use SGARs on city property (unless there is an emergency). If you see one on city property, either contact City Hall and ask them about it, or let Rescue Gloucester Wildlife know (info@RescueGloucesterWildlife.org), and we will contact them.
At a neighbor’s: Try having a friendly conversation with neighbors to educate them about the harm SGARs do to wildlife and pets. Always be respectful and give them the benefit of the doubt—they may have no idea about the issues with SGARs!