RI Bill To Ban Sale Of Rat Poisions That Endanger Wildlife Signed Into Law

PROVIDENCE, RI — A bill to ban the sale of rat poisons that endanger wildlife was signed into law.

The proposed law would prohibit the sale of first-generation anticoagulant rodenticides to consumers in Rhode Island starting March 1, and prohibit the sale of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides beginning Jan. 1, 2028, according to a media release.

Anticoagulant rodenticides kill by preventing blood clotting.

"First-generation anticoagulants require multiple feedings to kill, which means a rodent that has eaten them will continue to live with them in its system, transferring some of that poison to a predator if it is eaten before consuming enough poison to be lethal," the release said.

The bill was sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Melissa Murray, D-Woonsocket and North Smithfield, and state Rep. Rebecca Kislak, D-Providence.

"These products are meant to kill rats, but they do great harm to raptors and other wildlife, and they are a risk to children and pets," Murray said in the release.

"Their poison accumulates in the bodies of species who eat rodents who have consumed the products, and ironically winds up killing raptors, who are an important part of the food chain that controls the rat population,” Murray said.

“Unfortunately, not only do rat poisons kill the natural predators of rats, many rats have developed resistance to them, so they are ineffective on top of being dangerous and counterproductive," Kislak said in the release.

“This new law establishes a new approach through a pilot program of modern integrated management that addresses the problem in a variety of ways, including stepping up efforts to keep trash and other food sources properly contained, encouraging rats’ natural predators and using newer products that prevent rats from reproducing," Kislak said.

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