Each year red-winged blackbirds stop in a certain region of Midland Province on their
spring and fall migrations. In the fall, they eat a significant portion of the province's
sunflower crop. This year Midland farmers sought permits to set out small amounts of
poisoned rice during the blackbirds' spring stop in order to reduce the fall blackbird
population. Some residents voiced concern that the rice could threaten certain species of
rare migratory birds. Nevertheless, the wildlife agency approved the permits.
Which of the following, if true, most helps to justify the wildlife agency's approval of the
permits, given the concerns voiced by some residents?
A. In the region where the red-winged blackbirds stop, they are the first birds to be
present in the spring.
B. The poison that farmers want to use does not kill birds but rather makes them
incapable of producing viable eggs.
C. Since rice is not raised in Midland Province, few species of birds native to the
province normally eat rice.
D. Without the permit, any farmers shown to have set out poison for the blackbirds
would be heavily fined.
E. The poison that farmers got approval to use has no taste or smell that would make
it detectable by birds.