WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) in challenging Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) efforts to restrict the use of rodenticides, claiming the proposed mitigation measures could endanger the nation’s food supply, public health, and property.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, the Senators encouraged him to work with rodenticide producers and users to develop science-based policies that would allow continued use of 11 rodent control products. In November 2022, the EPA proposed mitigation measures for rodenticides.

“Any new measures should be based on sound science and must recognize the significant benefits that the products provide,” the Senators wrote Regan.

 “The proposed mitigation measures would place severe restrictions on the use of rodenticides, hampering the ability of growers, consumers, pest control operators, restaurants, other food handling establishments, schools, health care facilities, and businesses to control rats, mice, and other rodents,” the Senators continued.  “They would also complicate compliance with food safety regulations that require rodent control.  Rather than protecting the environment, limiting access to vital rodenticides would harm the American food supply, public health, animal health and welfare, and infrastructure.”

The Senators’ concerns about the proposed mitigation measures are based on the fact they would, among other things:  classify most of the products as restricted use pesticides; require that users become licensed, state-certified applicators; prohibit current surface (non-bait station) application methods used to protect many crops; and require growers to conduct carcass searches for two weeks after application.

Rodents are responsible for millions of dollars in damages to field crops, stored grain, and farm equipment annually, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The pest can also spread over 60 diseases to humans, companion animals, and livestock.

In addition to Boozman and Hyde-Smith, the letter was signed by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), James Risch (R-ID), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Katie Britt (R-AL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), James Lankford (R-OK), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Thune (R-SD), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

Read the signed letter here.