PCOC Testifies Against Ban on First-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides

On Tuesday, April 9th, PCOC testified before the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials in opposition to AB 2552 sponsored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (HD-44). The bill would ban the use of first-generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (Chlorophacinone and Warfarin) for structural pest control use and further designate them as Restricted Materials. Additionally, the bill would create a private right-of-action enforcement component that would allow any individual or organization to sue PCOs for the potential misuse of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (FGARs) and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) on behalf of human or wildlife exposure. The bill also seeks to dramatically expand the list of areas identified as wildlife habitat and expands the prohibition of rodenticides within 2,500 feet of “wildlife habitat areas.”

On behalf of PCOC, Blair Smith, Director of Technical and Quality Assurance for Clark Pest Control testified that AB 2552, builds upon the restrictions of AB 1788 (Bloom, 2020) and AB 1322 (Friedman, 2023). Smith stated that the legislation does this by expanding prohibitions of critical pest control products in the state of California, while exposing businesses to costly lawsuits and insurance increases that will be severely detrimental to small businesses across the state.
 
Smith went on to articulate the concerns with AB 2552 provisions such as 1) the severe restrictions of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides with the active ingredients Chlorophacinone and Warfarin; 2) Permitting a private right of action for violations. Smith also touched on new insurance liability concerns. She stated that, “insurance companies are aware of this new liability, insurance rates for all pest control companies will increase due to the anticipated flood of civil litigation and settlements, and costs for pest control services will likely increase for everyone as a result.”
 
PCOC will continue to actively advocate against this harmful legislation to pest management professionals. Please monitor the PCOC website at www.pcoc.org along with your email inbox to get further updates and calls for action.