Support EPA Registration of M-44

As is required every 15 years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is initiating its review of sodium cyanide and fluoroacetic acid derivatives and is taking comments from the public as part of the review. All comments must be posted no later than Monday, Nov. 22.

"If you are a producer in one of the 16 states that allow the usage of M-44's or livestock protection collars, you are encouraged to submit comments on this important review," stated Peter Orwick, executive director for the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI). "It is important for the EPA to hear from producers about the importance of these products in helping to control predation within the sheep industry."

The continued registration for these predator control tools is strongly supported by ASI and its members as well as by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services Wildlife Services Agency. Both products are used for the control of coyote, fox and feral dogs that prey upon livestock and threatened or endangered species.

Sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080) is delivered via the livestock protection collar and sodium cyanide is used in M-44 devises, the second most effective coyote-control tool available to producers.

For complete instructions on how to file comments, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-23322.htm. Comments for each pesticide will be filed to a separate docket.