There are currently no open consultations.
Proposed changes to rodenticide regulation
The Integrated Pest Management Regulation was reviewed to update the second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) requirements.
This was in response to concerns expressed over effects on owls and other wildlife.
Prior to permanent changes to the regulation that came into effect on January 21, 2023, there was an 18-month temporary Minister’s Order (PDF, 732KB).
The order was created to protect wildlife from unintended effects of SGAR use by banning or restricting their access. The minister’s order was in place from July 21, 2021 to January 20, 2023.
The ministry conducted the following activities:
On May 4, 2022, the ministry released the IPMR Rodenticide Review Intentions Paper (PDF, 1MB).
The paper proposed changes to the IPMR for sale and use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs).
Public consultation on the proposed changes closed on June 19, 2022.
Almost 1,600 responses were submitted from:
The submitted comments were reviewed to improve the final policy.
An independent contractor wrote a report summarizing the consultation responses.
To find out what we heard, review:
After considering the feedback, the minister confirmed the final policy direction for how SGARs will be regulated.
The ministry has completed the proposed regulatory amendments to the regulation as outlined in the intentions paper with no significant changes.
As of January 21, 2023, the regulatory amendments are in effect.
Watch this presentation that explains the regulatory changes which were proposed during consultation
Aquaculture changes
The development of the proposed regulation amendments has been paused in order to align with federal initiatives. The federal mandate letter issued to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard on December 13, 2019, includes direction to create a plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal B.C. waters by 2025 and to introduce Canada’s first Aquaculture Act.
The province wishes to understand how these changes will impact the aquaculture industry before proceeding on any amendments to the provincial regulation.
Parties who expressed interest or submitted comments through the regulatory review consultation process will be notified directly of this change in status.
Thank you for your time and interest in the development of these proposed changes.
The Integrated Pest Management Regulation (IPMR) was under review to update the requirements relating to aquaculture in response to concerns expressed over the release of pesticides into the marine environment.
A Regulatory Proposal outlining the intended changes was posted in October 2018, and we sought comments from First Nations, industry and stakeholders until November 30, 2018.
Following the consultation period, we reviewed the submitted comments and developed a Final Policy Update paper based on the feedback. This paper describes the final intentions that were considered for amending the IPMR.
Sea lice infestations are one of the top issues facing the aquaculture industry worldwide. An infestation of sea lice can affect the survivability of very young salmon and, in severe cases, older stock. They also can present a risk of spreading from farmed populations to wild salmon.
Aquaculture activities involving the use of pesticides to manage sea lice are regulated in B.C. under the IPMR. The regulation describes environmentally sound practices for using, storing and managing pesticides. The use of pesticides in a body of water requires a pesticide use permit issued under the IPMR.
Visit amendments for the consultation background resulting in amendments to the IPM Act and IPM Regulation, as well as any guidance materials developed to implement the changes.
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