❓ The WA Government acknowledges the risk of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) to birds of prey and supports a review of their use. Controls and mitigation are being considered, with DBCA limiting SGAR use to islands and the Department of Health reviewing their broader use.
AnsweredQoN 249Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the risk to raptors, owls and other bird species by the use of second generation anticoagulant pesticides for control of rodents, and I ask: (a) What is the Government’s position on the use of second generation anticoagulants and their impacts on birds of prey, especially owls; (b) What controls are the Government proposing on their use; (c) What mitigation measures will the Government take to support vulnerable populations of birds of prey, especially owls; and (d) What protective measures are being considered for all affected native bird, mammal and reptile species?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 August 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment
Response time
5 days
(a) The Government supports the review of access and use of second-generation rodenticides (SGARs) in Australia. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) understands that these products play a role in eradication of rodents on islands where risk assessment and mitigation strategies for non-target impacts are in place.
(b) The Department of Health is responsible for regulating the use of rodenticides in Western Australia under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 .
(c-d) To protect vulnerable wildlife, such as birds of prey including owls, DBCA only uses SGARs on DBCA managed islands. On all other DBCA managed land, the department considers non-toxic trapping and appropriate waste management practices to reduce rodent numbers. The Department of Health as the lead agency has advised it will review the use of SGARs in Western Australia once the Australia Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has finalised its review of these products.
(b) The Department of Health is responsible for regulating the use of rodenticides in Western Australia under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 .
(c-d) To protect vulnerable wildlife, such as birds of prey including owls, DBCA only uses SGARs on DBCA managed islands. On all other DBCA managed land, the department considers non-toxic trapping and appropriate waste management practices to reduce rodent numbers. The Department of Health as the lead agency has advised it will review the use of SGARs in Western Australia once the Australia Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has finalised its review of these products.
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