Date: 2/14/26 12:42 pm From: Brenna <dbgaldenzi...> Subject: [VTBIRD] H.758 rodenticides are poisoning birds of prey
Hi all,
The Vermont Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry has
agreed to hear testimony and vote on H.758, a bill to prohibit the sale and
use of the most dangerous rodenticides in our state. Committee members need
to hear from Vermonters now to know that there is strong public support for
this bill.
The data are clear: anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are impacting
non-target wildlife. When rodents consume poisoned bait and exit the bait
box, they are often eaten by other wildlife, including raptors, bobcats,
and other animals. The same characteristics that make ARs lethal to rodents
also poison wildlife, causing disease, prolonged suffering, and, too often,
death.
Species such as fisher and bobcat, generally elusive by nature and living
in heavily forested areas away from people, are impacted by ARs. VT Fish &
Wildlife Department (FWD)'s data
<https://us.list-manage.com/KT_KYHkAIUj?e=7ba1951114&c2id=43663023f628fd92b474690d90612279> collected
between 2018-2024 confirms the presence of ARs in fisher (85-100% of
samples tested in 2018-2024) and bobcat (70% in 2021 - 2025). Recently, FWD
added otter to the species analyzed and again detected ARs in 12% of
samples in 2024-2025. *It is noteworthy that each time FWD has expanded
testing to include a new species, the presence of ARs is detected.* There
is no safe level of poison in any animal.
H.758 would prohibit ARs and other types of rodenticides, while still
allowing limited use during legitimate agricultural, environmental, or
public health emergencies. The bill also promotes safer, more effective
approaches rooted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
TAKE ACTION!
Please call or email all members of the committee and urge them to support
the rodenticide reform bill. Lawmakers are reviewing this legislation now,
and hearing directly from constituents can make a critical difference.
Rep. David Durfee (Chair): <ddurfee...>
Rep. John L. Bartholomew (Vice Chair): <jbartholomew...>
Rep. Richard Nelson (Ranking Member): <rnelson...>
Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun: <mboslun...>
Rep. Gregory “Greg” Burtt: <gburtt...>
Rep. Jed Lipsky (Clerk): <jlipsky...>
Rep. John O’Brien: <jobrien...>
Simply cut & paste their email addresses below:
<ddurfee...>, <gburtt...>, <jlipsky...>,
<jbartholomew...>, <jobrien...>,
<mboslun...>, <rnelson...>
Every voice counts. Together, we can protect Vermont’s wildlife, pets,
children, and communities from toxic rodenticides.
