William Nesbitt

Opposition to HB 1676 – limiting consumer access to certain high-risk rodenticides Members of the Environment and Agriculture Committee, I am writing to urge you to oppose House Bill HB 1676, which would prohibit the sale of certain rodenticides to persons not licensed or registered with the department of agriculture, markets, and food. This bill would give the pest control industry exclusive use of SGARs (and other rodenticides), leading to more wildlife poisoning, not less. Making these poisons “restricted use,” as HB 1676 proposes, could potentially lead to more wildlife poisoning, not less. Pest control companies cause the most harm and they will continue doing so with the help of this bill. The pest control industry’s increasing reliance on rodent control contracts has driven the widespread use of rodenticides. Fear-based “rodent control” is highly profitable and long-term contracts mean endlessly refilled outdoor bait stations and steady revenue for pest control companies and poison manufacturers like Bell Labs. I oppose HB 1676 because it would hand the industry a monopoly and expand its market by shifting rodenticide use from homeowners to pest control operators. What pest control companies call “responsible use” has led us exactly here—widespread, ongoing outdoor baiting, poisoning the food chain, versus responsible and thoughtful planning and management. I respectfully ask you to vote in opposition to HB 1676. Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to the health and safety of New Hampshire’s people, pets, and wildlife. Respectfully, Bill Nesbitt 76 North Rd Shelburne, NH 03581