Vertebrate pest control: carbon monoxide.

Existing law regulates pesticide use and generally provides that, except for specified provisions that are within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Food and Agriculture, the enforcement of these provisions is the duty of the Director of Pesticide Regulation. Existing law also requires the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to establish and administer a research program to control vertebrate pests, as defined, including the investigation of effective and economical alternative materials for the control of vertebrate pests. Existing law limits the expenditure of funds for this research to specified activities, including educational outreach regarding vertebrate pest control methods. Under existing law, a person is prohibited from killing an animal by using carbon monoxide gas. This bill would authorize the use of carbon monoxide for the control of burrowing rodent pests, only until January 1, 2018, and only if the carbon monoxide delivery device is permanently affixed with a specified warning label in plain view of the operator, subject to specified provisions governing (1) the protection of endangered species, (2) the mode of taking a fur-bearing animal, and (3) pest control operations and the use of agricultural chemicals, as specified. The bill would revise the provision requiring the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to establish a research program to control vertebrate pests, including the investigation of alternative materials, as described above, to specifically include the use of carbon monoxide to control burrowing rodent pests. The bill would make a similar change to the provision authorizing the expenditure of funds for educational outreach. The bill would also include a statement of legislative intent.