Malibu Council Votes to Oppose Sale, Use of Rodenticides

The Malibu City Council unanimously voted Monday to oppose the sale, purchase and use of anticoagulant rodenticides in Malibu. 

"This will help us as we continue the campaign to make Malibu, and the cities surrounding the Santa Monica mountains, poison-free," said Kian Schulman of the Malibu Agricultural Society following the decision. The group has been advocating for businesses and cities to adopt better policies about the sale and use of rat poison. 

The council also voted to direct city staff to develop a pest management program policy for the use of pesticides within city parks. The council's action only goes so far. The state of California -- not the city of Malibu -- has the power to ban rodenticides. 

The Malibu Agricultural Society plans to approach the Malibu Chamber of Commerce soon and to expand their campaign to other cities.