By Associated Press
Washington, DC – Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio says he's encouraged but not overly optimistic as the Environmental Protection Agency takes a first step toward banning two poisons that are used to protect livestock from wild animals.
The agency has called for public comment on a proposal to end the use of sodium cyanide and sodium fluoroacetate, commonly known as Compound 1080, on federal lands. The poisons are used to kill predators in the West, but DeFazio says they also end up killing endangered species and injuring humans. Compound 1080 is made in Oxford, Alabama, by Tull Chemical Company.
Compound 1080 is so lethal that a single teaspoonful could kill dozens of people. There is no known antidote.
DeFazio, a Democrat, has been trying for years to ban the two poisons. EPA is accepting comments through January 15th.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)