The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed restrictions on eleven rodenticides that will effectively deprive poultry producers of a range of anticoagulant products in addition to zinc phosphide.

There is obviously justification for controlling the application of anticoagulant rodenticides to prevent toxicity in wildlife.  It is however evident that anticoagulant rodenticides used in appropriate bait stations and within poultry houses will not affect free-living animals and birds.

Accordingly the EPA should include in their proposed regulations exceptions for specific use by duly trained and certified applicators within buildings.  Depriving the poultry industry of effective rodenticides will contribute to proliferation of rodents with consequential dissemination of wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens.

The EPA action although well intended is yet another example of government agencies working at cross purposes.  The FDA Final Rule on Prevention of Salmonella requires effective rodent suppression and monitoring.  The EPA regulations unintentionally deprive the industry of the means to satisfy the FDA requirements.