Shoppers 'genuinely shocked' by side effect of Coles, Bunnings, Woolworths, Mitre 10 product
For years, Coles, Woolworths, Bunnings, Mitre 10, and other major retailers have been knowingly and legally selling a poison to consumers with a deadly side effect. It's quietly killing off Australia's native animals.
Now Yahoo News can reveal more than 280 vets, doctors, farmers, scientists, and conservationists have signed an open letter calling on the nation's chemical regulator to ban merchants from selling this 'highly-toxic' form of rat bait to consumers.
Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are openly sold on the same shelves as less harmful first-generation poisons, traps and natural baits. Although there are warnings on packets, unless shoppers delve into the fine print, they're unlikely to be able to tell the difference, and experts believe only professionals should be able to use these products because they're so dangerous.
The letter has been sent from BirdLife Australia to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) as it is conducting a review of SGARs. It notes the United States, Canada, and the European Union have all introduced 'significant restrictions' to reduce the risk of 'unintended harm' caused by these products.
'Australia is lagging behind, allowing the continued use of SGARs in a way that is putting our wildlife and pets at risk,' it warns, dubbing it a 'crisis' that needs 'immediate intervention'.
BirdLife Australia's Dr Holly Parsons told Yahoo News SGARs have a commercial purpose, however most consumers are 'genuinely shocked' that these baits are sold in supermarkets and hardware stores for home use when they can harm owls, native mammals, and even pets.
'There's a perception that because you can buy it on the shelf it's safe to use, and if you use it in accordance with the directions there's not going to be a problem. But that's not the case,' she said.
Related: 😳 Bunnings workers struggle to spot deadly product on shelf
SGARs were developed in the 1980s to combat growing resistance by rats to first-generation rodenticides. But these new poisons don't break down quickly in the environment, meaning each time a non-target animal eats a rat or mouse, they will accumulate more poison in their body.
Sometimes the poisons will directly kill animals by making them slowly bleed out. But often they make non-target species so sick they get hit by cars or become unable to hunt.
It's long been known that predatory birds like owls and tawny frogmouths frequently succumb to SGARs. Sadly, it's unpaid wildlife carers and volunteer vets who are left to mop up the problem when Aussies find sick and dying birds in their yards.
In February, new research revealed native mammals like Tasmanian devils and quolls that are already threatened with extinction could be tipped over the edge by these chemicals.
The signatories to the letter warn the problem is so serious that SGARs will soon be nominated as a Key Threatening Process under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act – Commonwealth legislation designed to safeguard endangered species. This would place SGARs alongside other major threats to the survival, abundance, or evolutionary development of native species, with other examples including feral animals, land clearing and chytrid fungus, which has directly caused the extinction of seven frog species in Australia.
'This issue is critical, and the urgency cannot be overstated. The ongoing use of SGARs presents a severe and immediate threat to Australia's wildlife and pets,' the letter says.
Parsons told Yahoo the problem is continuing to 'grow deeper' the more we research it and that APVMA needed to act.
'More and more, we're understanding these products are getting out further than we ever expected them to. Many people probably don't realise that their backyard is part of the local environment, and so the impact of what they do inside their home is going to have ramifications for the wildlife around them,' she said.
📸 Beach find highlights dark side of Queensland's $88 million tourism pledge
Dangerous discovery made 30cm under Western Australian garden
🌏 Alarming map highlights growing threats to $3.8 billion industry
In 2023, pressure on Bunnings to stop selling animal glue traps proved effective, with the retailer confirming they would phase them out. These products had been linked to wildlife harm, and in this case Bunnings acted without being forced to by new regulations.
Some campaigners had also hoped the retailer would withdraw SGARs from consumer sale without the need for the government to intervene.
Yahoo visited Bunnings and Coles stores and saw SGARs on shelves beside less harmful products. And while this may be confusing for some consumers, the retailers are complying with all current legal guidelines with their displays.
Active ingredients in SGARs-based products include brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, difenacoum, and flocoumafen. An update on their use by the APVMA is expected this year.
Birdlife Australia's 281 signatories include biodiversity expert Professor Martine Maron, environmental scientist Professor Raylene Cooke, former Queensland chief scientist Professor Hugh Possingham, and molecular scientist Associate Professor Bill Bateman. They are calling for the following seven changes:
SGARs to be withdrawn from public sale and their use restricted to licensed professionals.
A ban on their use outside of buildings.
Promotion of alternatives like electronic traps and non-anticoagulant options.
Develop new management strategies that prioritise non-chemical alternatives.
Mandate the monitoring of SGAR impacts on wildlife.
Establish buffer zones around ecologically sensitive areas.
Develop a threat abatement plan to address rodenticide contamination in the environment.
Coles was contacted for comment, but it did not immediately respond.
Metcash's Independent Hardware Group (IHG), which supplies Mitre 10 stores with products including SGARs, told Yahoo News it "will comply" with any directives legislated by the APVMA.
"In the interim, we are working with suppliers to produce educational materials for members and consumers around the use of alternative products," it said in a statement. "While we cannot compel independent Mitre 10 stores to display signage, it will be strongly encouraged. We are also in the process of extending our range of natural, pallet-based throw packs that are non-toxic to birds and other wildlife."
Bunnings said it had worked with the APVMA and suppliers to update packaging to "clearly display" on the front when SGARs are present, and introduced QR codes in rodent control aisles so customers can learn more about products.
"The rodenticide products we sell are in line with guidance from the Federal regulator, the APVMA, and we will continue to follow its advice in this area. This includes any requirements confirmed by the APVMA when the Anticoagulant Rodenticides Chemical Review is finalised," a spokesperson said.
Bunnings added that it was providing "choice" for consumers, and that included both rodenticides and non-poisonous alternatives to help customers achieve the "best solution to their specific rodent problem".
Woolworths said the products are "important" for people who have issues with rats or mice, particularly in rural areas. It also sells them in metropolitan and suburban stores.
"We also sell a number of alternative options including ultrasonic repellents, traps and rodenticides without second-generation anticoagulants," it said. "As always, we encourage our customers to follow the instructions outlined on these products, which include clear labels and warnings about safe use, storage and disposal."
You can read the full BirdLife Australia letter here.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Little-known hazard sparks warning for Aussie drivers over 40: 'Can affect anyone'
Sydney woman Belinda Garvanovich used to dread driving after dark. For years, the anxiety persisted — until it led to a frightening close call. "I used to refuse driving long distances at night and would make my husband drive as I wasn't confident," the 52-year-old told Yahoo News Australia. "I pushed my kids to get their licence as soon as they could so they could drive at night and not me. "One time at a carpark at night, I couldn't see properly and went into a pole… next weekend I had an appointment booked in with my optometrist," she said. The cause? Presbyopia, a common and age-related vision condition that affects the ability to focus on close-up objects, and one that millions of Australians may have without realising. Belinda now wears "night glasses" while on the road and urged others with impaired vision to follow suit. "Don't put it off like me and get it checked ASAP," she urged. After Australians experienced the longest night of the year this weekend, new research suggests a potentially dangerous trend is playing out on our roads, particularly among Aussies aged 35 to 50. According to a new study, a staggering 72 per cent of mid-life Australians have never heard of presbyopia, despite more than half (51 per cent) reporting close-up vision problems in everyday life. The condition, which typically begins around age 40, becomes especially problematic during night driving. Optometrist Greeshma Patel said the numbers reflect a broader lack of awareness and a pressing safety issue. "Presbyopia can affect nearly everyone as they age… but the term itself isn't widely known," she explained. "People often attribute their blurry near vision to just 'getting older' or 'tired eyes' rather than a specific condition." Millions warned as new cameras officially target drivers from today Millions warned as change speed cameras becomes official Urgent warning over deadly trend on Aussie roads She said the condition can have serious implications on the road, especially in low-light conditions. "When your eyes struggle to focus on near objects, it also affects their ability to quickly adapt focus between different distances," she said. "This means a driver might find it difficult to clearly read the dashboard, then instantly switch focus to road signs in the distance, or to spot pedestrians on dimly lit streets. It's not just about reading a book — it's about safe driving." According to the survey, conducted by Specsavers, some 38 per cent of mid-life Australians admit to erratic driving at night due to poor vision. Pight per cent said they'd had a car accident as a result, and 57 per cent have felt unsafe driving at night due to their vision Patel said symptoms like holding your phone further away, struggling with small text, or needing brighter light to read can all point to presbyopia, but many brush it off until something goes wrong. "Workarounds like increasing screen text or borrowing someone else's glasses may help short term, but they delay getting the proper treatment," she said. Fortunately, the fix is simple. "Presbyopia is very easy to treat and manage," she said. "The most common solutions are reading glasses, bifocals or multifocal lenses, and there are also contact lenses or corrective surgery options." She's calling for greater public awareness, including campaigns to normalise routine eye checks. "Eye tests are bulk billed with a valid Medicare card, but many people still don't prioritise them unless something is seriously wrong," she said. As Australia continues to grapple with a national rise in road deaths, vision may be one of the most overlooked risk factors, especially in the colder, darker months. "Mid-life vision issues aren't just about reading or texting," Patel said. "They're directly tied to confidence and clarity behind the wheel. A quick eye test could prevent a crash — or even save a life." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Former EPA administrator, activists react to 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
As President Donald Trump touts a bill currently making its way through Congress as a win for the public, a former regional Environmental Protection Agency administrator is prepared to see devastating cuts to the office that could negatively impact human health. 'It's proposing severe cuts to both the scientific work that EPA's Office of Research and Development does and to the agency as a whole,' said Debra Shore, former administrator for EPA Region 5. 'It would severely reduce the agency's ability to fulfill its mission of protecting public health and the environment.' As the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and moved to the Senate, activists nationwide have worried about the consequences. Shore said it's heartbreaking to see public servants at the EPA go through these cuts, especially as the administration tries to make the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' seem like a win. 'I have never worked with a group of such smart, devoted professionals who had a shared sense of mission as EPA employees,' Shore said. 'I know that's the case across the agency. … They could be working for far higher salaries in many cases, but they are dedicated to the foundational mission of the EPA, which is to protect public health and the environment.' On Tuesday and Wednesday, the EPA posted on Facebook, saying it 'delivers for all Americans.' 'One Big Beautiful Bill is putting American workers, taxpayers and families first,' the EPA's Tuesday post said. 'Under (Trump), the U.S. can unleash American energy while ensuring we have the cleanest air, land and water on (Earth).' The bill eliminates hundreds of billions of dollars in Green New Deal tax credits, repeals former President Joe Biden administration's electric vehicle mandates, and opens federal lands and waters to oil, gas, coal, geothermal and mineral leasing, according to the EPA's Tuesday post. According to the Wednesday post, the bill also 'streamlines onerous permitting processes,' refills the Strategic Petroleum reserve and 'delivers certainty to energy producers, saves and creates energy jobs, lowers energy costs for families.' A spokesperson for Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, provided a statement about the bill Friday. 'Senator Young continues to have conversations with his colleagues and stakeholders about improving the House-passed bill and addressing our nation's debt and deficit challenges,' said Leah Selk, spokesperson for Young. Representatives for Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, did not respond to a request for comment Friday. Within the bill, the White House would also have the ability to cut federal agencies and reduce workforce, Shore said. 'This is just an utter abrogation of Congress' authority and power,' Shore said. 'It requires an annual report of planned reorganizational moves, and it also streamlines the ability of any future president to rebuild federal agencies because of some of the language in it.' Susan Thomas, director of policy and press for Just Transition Northwest Indiana, said it's concerning that EPA is treating the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' like a win, especially on social media platforms that are easily accessible. 'No one can take any information for granted anymore,' Thomas said. 'You must do your own research with trusted sources because the amount of greenwashing that's coming down is so dangerous. … This is becoming increasingly difficult, but it's more important than ever.' Thomas and Gary Advocates for Responsible Development board member Carolyn McCrady are both worried about the effects that environmental justice communities will face if the bill passes the Senate. McCrady expects public health to worsen as a result of EPA rollbacks. An October report from Industrious Labs found that most residents in Gary are in the top 10% of U.S. residents most at-risk for developing asthma and at-risk of low life expectancy. In 2020, Indiana had a lung cancer rate of 72.5 per 100,000 people, with Lake County as one of the state's counties with the highest cancer mortality rates, according to the American Lung Association. A 2016 JAMA Network report also found Gary as one of the top five U.S. cities with the lowest life expectancy at one point. 'I think people are going to be sicker faster,' McCrady said. 'I don't think people will be able to be served in the medical community in the same way, because in Indiana, millions of people are going to lose their health insurance because of the Medicaid cuts.' Although McCrady believes the EPA cuts are devastating, she isn't surprised to see them included in 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' Cuts will continue to put communities like Gary at a greater disadvantage, McCrady said. Thomas also believes that Northwest Indiana's environmental justice communities will struggle as a result of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' 'They've already stripped away all of the environmental justice provisions that had taken years to recognize and acknowledge and to start to put in place,' Thomas said. 'This is just a very sad state that we're in.'
New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Pelosi added millions to net worth last year: report
She might be the She-Wolf of Wall Street. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-California) raked in between $7.8 and $42.5 million in 2024 — meaning her estimated net worth with venture capitalist hubby Paul Pelosi could now top out at $413 million, new financial disclosures showed. The staggering sum is an eye-popping jump from 2023, when financial disclosures showed the couple's net worth topping out at a possible $370 million. Advertisement 4 The Pelosi's added between $7.8 and $42.5 million to their net worth in 2024. Getty Images Pelosi's exact net worth is not known because lawmakers are only required to disclose ranges. Market research firm Quiver Quantitative, which estimates a single figure based on daily stock values it tracks, placed the pair's 2024 worth at $257 million — up $26 million from a year earlier. Advertisement But the value of their various other ventures — which include but are not limited to a Napa Valley winery, ownership in a political data and consulting firm and a stake in a Bay area Italian restaurant — mean Pelosi's worth could be far higher in the estimated range. A large chunk of the couple's fortune has come from a sizable stock portfolio and timely trades, all done in Paul Pelosi's name. The former House Speaker, who's so infamous for trading Missouri Rep. Josh Hawley named a bill after her, and her husband dumped 5,000 shares of Microsoft stock worth an estimated $2.2 million in July — one of their largest sales in three years — a few short months before the FTC announced an antitrust investigation into the tech giant. They also sold 2,000 shares — worth an estimated $525,000 — of Visa stock, less than three months before the credit card company was hit with a DOJ monopoly lawsuit. Advertisement 4 Some have nicknamed Pelosi the 'Queen of Stocks.' Getty Images for The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Their best trade though might have been exercising a call option in December they bought in late 2023 at an estimated premium of $1.8 million, allowing them to nab 50,000 shares of hot AI chip stock NVIDIA for $12 a pop — less than one tenth of its market price. In total the couple paid an estimated $2.4 million for the investment, which on paper is now worth more than $7.2 million. NVIDIA wasn't their only AI play of 2024. Advertisement The couple also paid between $600,000 and $1.25 million for a call option on California cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks in February, the same week it was revealed the White House briefed lawmakers on a serious national security threat related to Russia. The shares rose close to 20% in the days after the move. 4 A bill aiming to ban lawmakers and their spouses from trading individual stocks was named 'The PELOSI Act.' Jack Forbes / NY Post Design The option allowed the pair to scoop up 14,000 shares of Palo Alto in December at a $100 strike price — half its trading value. The company has been crushing earnings over the past year and the investment is now worth around $2.8 million. But the Queen of Stocks did suffer one setback — when she and Paul Pelosi ditched 2,500 shares of former Department of Government Efficiency boss Elon Musk's Tesla in June, losing somewhere between $100,000 and $1 million on the trade. In all, their investment portfolio pulled in an estimated 54% return in 2024, more than double the S&P 500's 25% gain — and beating every large hedge fund, according to numbers in Bloomberg's end-of-year tally of hedge funds' returns. 4 Pelosi and her good fortune have been at the center of arguments about why Congress shouldn't be allowed to trade stocks. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post The formidable profits come amid growing calls to ban Congress from trading individual stocks, arguing lawmakers have access to market-moving information ahead of the public. Advertisement Pelosi in the past rejected calls for a ban, stating 'we're a free‑market economy.' She has since softened her stance in the face of growing criticism. When asked in May whether Congress should pass a trading ban, she replied, 'If they do, they do.' 'Speaker Pelosi does not own any stocks, and she has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions,' a spokesperson told The Post. The couple is already off to a rocking 2025. Advertisement In January, they bought call options for then-little-known artificial intelligence health firm, Tempus AI, which has since inked a $200 million deal with AstraZeneca and doubled its stock price. The couple also took out call options for energy company Vistra — whose stock climbed last month after it unveiled a massive $1.9 billion deal to acquire natural gas facilities across the country from a private equity firm, citing rising US power demand.
