FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1997
EPA AND REGISTRANT REACH AGREEMENT TO PHASE OUT USE OF RID-A-BIRD PESTICIDE USED TO CONTROL CERTAIN BIRDS
The registrant of Rid-A-Bird Perch
1100 Solution pesticide, Rid-A-Bird Inc., has reached an agreement with
EPA to voluntarily cancel all use of this product by March l, l999 and
to recall any leftover stocks from distributors and users by Dec. 1, l999.
Rid-A-Bird (active ingredient, fenthion) is registered as a restricted
use pesticide to control starlings, English sparrows, and pigeons which
land or roost in and around buildings and on structures. Without control,
such nuisance birds which congregate in large numbers can threaten public
health and safety through bird-related industrial accidents and the spread
of disease. EPA’s concerns are based on evidence that Rid-A-Bird is posing
significant risks of poisoning to protected predatory birds, some of which
are threatened or endangered, which feed on the birds poisoned by the pesticide.
EPA also requested the company to make some label changes which should
further mitigate the potential risk of the pesticide to non-target and
endangered species during the phase-out. The registrant will make the label
changes by May l, l998. The changes include a prohibition against use in
starling roosting areas, other areas where over 200 starlings may roost
and a prohibition on use after Oct. 1, l999. This action builds upon the
use restrictions imposed by the Agency in l990. Later this month, Rid-A-Bird
Inc., of Wilton, Iowa, is expected to submit an application for a permit
to experiment with a product containing 3-chloro-4-methyl benzenamine (better
known as CPT) to determine whether it can be used in controlling nuisance
birds without causing harm to protected predatory birds. As part of the
agreement, the Agency will expedite its review of CPT applications for
an experimental use permit and registration in two and four months, respectively.