Calls for major shops to ditch "toxic" product
Common poisons sold at Bunnings, Mitre 10, Coles and Woolworths could potentially wipe out five species of carnivorous mammals.
A new study by Edith Cowan University has discovered the impact of these common rat poisons is more widespread than first thought, with predators also being impacted by the toxins as well as the pests.
“This is the first documentation of pretty substantial rodenticide exposure in our entire suite of top marsupial carnivores in Australia,” researcher and adjunct lecturer Dr Michael Lohr told Yahoo News.
“Tasmanian devils and quolls are potentially being exposed at rates that could have a substantial impact on the trajectory of their populations going forward, and not in a good way.”
The use of second-generation rat baits is currently under review by a government regulator – the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), with Dr Lohr urging retailers to take them off shelves.
"I think it's really important for Australia at this point to try to catch up to the rest of the developed world," he said. "Action is needed on this and the world has already agreed on that."
The use and sale of these pesticides are heavily restricted in the United States, European Union and United Kingdom, but are freely available in Australia.
More than 7,000 people have signed a Change.org petition calling for supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths to ditch these "highly toxic" rat baits which it said can kill pets and native animals.
Veteran wildlife advocate Cat Coake told Yahoo retailers have a duty to stop non-targeted poisons, as she said, "Otherwise they're going to kill everything."
In a statement, Bunnings noted that it's not the only major retailer in Australia selling second-generation rodenticides.
"Like many retailers, we offer a range of rodent control products, including anticoagulant rodenticides and non-poisonous alternatives, to provide choice for customers on the best solution to their specific rodent problem," it said.
Bunnings also said it's complying with government regulations on the sale of these poisons.
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