Aycock's office solicits comment on petition

The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comments through Jan. 15 on a petition to cancel all uses of M-44 sodium cyanide capsules and sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080). These products most often are used in predator collars to control coyotes.

The petition to cancel the use of these products was brought by Sinapu, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Beyond Pesticides, Forest Guardians, Predator Defense, Western Wildlife Conservancy, Sierra Club, The Rewilding Institute, Animal Defense League of Arizona and Animal Welfare Institute.

The petitioners claim sodium cyanide M-44 capsules and compound 1080 cannot perform their intended functions without causing unreasonable adverse effects on the environment and posing an imminent hazard.

In response to this petition, State Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock (RKilleen) said, "Controlling predators is an important part of livestock production, and these substances are an important tool for ranchers."

The public may submit comments by e-mail no later than Tuesday at www.regulations.gov and paste into the Search box the docket identification number: EPA-HQOPP 2007-0944-0010. When the new page appears, look for the title "Petition Requesting EPA to Issue a Notice...." Directly under this is "Send a Comment or Suggestion," Aycock said. Click on this line, which will open a form for comments.

Those who wish to do so may also contact Aycock's district office at 556-8954 or at P.O. Box 751, Lampasas, TX 76550.