Ottawa has given the green light for the controlled and time-restricted emergency application of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan to combat significant damages caused by an invasion of Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers.
Following the rejection of a previous proposal by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency in February, Alberta and Saskatchewan jointly submitted a revised emergency-use request to Health Canada last week.
Health Canada announced on Monday that the authorized request from the provinces includes additional limitations and measures to reduce the environmental impact of the rodent poison to an acceptable level. This move comes after the agency had banned strychnine two years ago due to concerns about risks posed to other wildlife species, including endangered species like the swift fox and burrowing owl, which might consume poisoned carcasses.
Under the Pest Control Products Act, Ottawa is permitting the two provinces to register strychnine under an emergency registration until November 2027.
Farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan have been advocating for the reintroduction of strychnine to manage the growing populations of Richardson’s ground squirrels that target various crops. The substance, previously used in a two percent liquid form as a primary gopher control solution on farms in the two provinces, was phased out by the federal government beginning in 2020 and completely banned in 2024 due to environmental concerns associated with its use.
In response to the emergency use request, RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s minister of agriculture and irrigation, expressed optimism for the agricultural industry, emphasizing the importance of providing producers with effective tools to manage their operations and maintain high-quality products.
David Marit, Saskatchewan’s minister of agriculture, also welcomed the emergency use approval, citing the practical benefits for producers in protecting their crops and pastures from continued damage caused by gophers.
Wade Nelson, a farmer near High River, Alberta, voiced his support for the government’s decision to permit strychnine for emergency use, highlighting the significant impact of gopher infestations on agricultural land. Nelson stressed the necessity of a safe and effective solution like strychnine and expressed a desire for the authorization to extend beyond 2027 to ensure continued support for farmers facing these challenges.
The authorization of strychnine for emergency use is seen as a crucial step forward for farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan, who are eager to demonstrate the responsible and effective use of the product to address ongoing pest control issues.