Appeal to halt rodenticide use in Winnipeg dismissed

An appeal aimed at stopping the city’s use of rodenticides to kill ground squirrels in Winnipeg has been quashed.

In April, a joint application was made under the Environmental Act to appeal a provincial permit issued to the City of Winnipeg to use of Rozol RTU and RoCon to kill ground squirrels in nine parks.

On Monday, Manitoba Animal Save posted a letter online from Environment Minister Mike Moyes dismissing the appeal, saying there were numerous factors behind his decision.

This includes that risks associated with the rodenticides have been mitigated when it comes to their potential to harm non-target wildlife. That both products have been approved for use in Canada and that risks to humans have been mitigated through the “recovery and disposal of carcasses and surfaced bait.”

He said one condition on the permit is that the city establish an Environmental Advisory Committee to help explore future pest management approaches and options.