REMARKS
Council Member Shaun Abreu introduces vote on rat contraceptive pilot program
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Council Member Shaun Abreu opens the meeting of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, introducing Introduction 736-A, which proposes a pilot program for deploying rat contraceptives in New York City. He outlines the bill's requirements, including collaboration between city departments, pilot areas, and reporting obligations.
- The bill aims to address NYC's rat problem through innovative methods, recognizing that current strategies are insufficient.
- The pilot program would last at least 12 months and involve two test areas and one comparison area.
- Monthly inspections and data collection are required to evaluate the effectiveness of the contraceptive approach.
Shaun Abreu
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Good morning, everyone.
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Welcome to the 1st today's hearings hosted by the committee on sanitation.
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To minimize disruption, please place electronic devices on vibrate or silent mode.
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The purpose of this hearing is to hold a vote on introduction number 736, sponsored by myself.
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The committee previously heard intro 736 at a hearing on May 1 2024, where we received the testimony from representatives of the Department of Sanitation, animal protection advocates, and other interested members of the public.
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The rat population is explosive.
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We know from speaking with experts over the past year that we can't kill our way out of this crisis.
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We need all the tools in the toolbox to tackle this issue, and rack contraceptives is one promising addition to a robust Pest Management Strategy.
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Intro 736 would require Department of Health And Mental Hygiene in consultation with the Department of Sanitation and an expert in rodent control to establish a pilot program to deploy rat contraceptives within a 180 days of the bills enactment for a period of at least 12 months.
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DOHMH will be required to establish 2 pilot program areas in at least one comparison area with similar type of buildings.
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The pilot areas would be required to be located within rat mitigation zones with the majority residential buildings and where majority of buildings are required to set out waste in containers.
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During the pilot program, DOHMA should be required to perform monthly inspections of such areas to track signs of rats.
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After the pilot period, DOHMA to be required to report to the mayor and speaker, findings and other information collected during the pilot program.
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I'd like to thank everyone on my team and the legislative division for their work on this legislation.
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I would also like to thank the Latau coalition for their work with my office on this bill.
