Help Ban Predator Poisons

Urge Your Rep to Support H.R. 4214
The Compound 1080 and M-44 Elimination Act

Representatives John Campbell (R-CA) and Peter DeFazio, (D-OR) have introduced H.R. 4214- the Compound 1080 and M-44 Elimination Act-- a federal bill that bans the use of two deadly poisons- sodium fluoroacetate, (Compound 1080) and sodium cyanide- presently used nationwide for lethal predator control.

Each year thousands of coyotes and foxes are intentionally killed with these two poisons by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services (WS) program at the behest of agribusiness and private ranchers- at taxpayer expense! Non-target animals, including pets, birds, and threatened and endangered species fall victim to these poisons. People have also been severely harmed by both Compound 1080 and sodium cyanide.

These poisons also pose a national security risk. The FBI has declared both as "highly toxic pesticides judged most likely to be used by terrorists or for malicious intent."

"Compound 1080 and M-44 sodium cyanide capsules are lethal, dangerous and unnecessary poisons," said Rep. DeFazio. "They pose a very serious threat to our nation's citizens, wildlife and domesticated animals. I am pleased to support this legislation, which would halt the use of these needlessly dangerous poisons permanently."

Please write to your Congressional Representative; urge support for and co-sponsorship of H.R. 4214- the Compound 1080 and M-44 Elimination Act:

Submit comments here:
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h4214/show

For bill information and to see if your Representative is already a co-sponsor visit:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.4214:

Points to convey in your letters:

• Strongly urge your Rep. to support and co-sponsor H.R. 4214- the Compound 1080 and M-44 Elimination Act.
• This bill will protect wildlife from cruel and dangerous poisons that are ethically and ecologically unjustifiable and pose a threat to homeland security and to non-target animals including pets and protected species.
• Spending limited tax-dollars on wasteful predator poisoning programs is fiscally irresponsible and unjustifiable at a time when Congress is trying to reduce the deficit and cut ineffective and wasteful programs.
• Compound 1080 is one of the deadliest poisons on earth and has no antidote.
• Death from Compound 1080 is inevitable, but this ingestion causes intense pain and suffering for an extended time; animals suffer convulsions and muscle spasms for hours before dying.
• Compound 1080 is a potential terrorist threat to our water and food supplies.
• People have been seriously harmed by M-44s and Compound 1080; at least 16 people have died from exposure to Compound 1080.
• Killing coyotes and other wildlife with poisons is not the answer to real or perceived conflicts with livestock.
• Rather than killing predators, ranchers should employ better animal husbandry practices such as guard animals, electronic sound and light devices, night penning, lambing sheds, prompt carcass removal and appropriate fencing.

For more information visit www.ProjectCoyote.org and http://projectcoyote.org/CoyotesUnderFire.pdf

Read Representative Campbell's news release on the bill here.

Watch Representative DeFazio debate this issue in Congress here.

Thank you in advance for helping wildlife!
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