Feds allow emergency use of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan to deal with Richardson Ground Squirrel
This post was originally published on this site.
Ottawa, ON (Rural Roots Canada) – The federal government has allowed the temporary use of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan to help control an infestation of Richardson Ground Squirrels.
In a statement released Monday, Health Canada says it’s authorizing a time-limited and controlled emergency use of the poison to help farmers deal with the millions of dollars in damages caused by the rodents.
In February, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) denied a joint request by Alberta and Saskatchewan to give emergency approval to use liquid strychnine to curb the spread of the animal that has damaged and destroyed crops and pastures. Last week, the two provinces submitted a revised, joint-emergency-use request to Health Canada, which was approved.
The updated submission included a reduced geographical scope and a revised product stewardship program to reduce the potential environmental risks to an acceptable level.
RELATED: Pest Management Regulatory Agency Denies Request for Strychnine Use on Ground Squirrels
“This decision means that many prairie farmers will have another tool back in their toolbox for gopher control,” said RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, in a statement. “Alberta’s producers have faced significant challenges managing Richardson’s Ground Squirrels, and the loss of this control method was difficult and costly for many in the ag sector.”
Sigurdson said he’s confident producers can now better manage their operations and reduce excessive crop losses caused by the rodents.
“This is a huge win for our agriculture industry,” Sigurdson wrote on social media.
David Marit agrees. The Minister of Agriculture for Saskatchewan is happy with the decision.
“Saskatchewan producers have been clear about the challenges they face in managing gophers with the limited tools currently available,” said Marit, in a statement. “We’re pleased to see the emergency use request granted as a practical opportunity for producers to demonstrate how strychnine can help protect their crops and pastures from continued damage.”
Under the Pest Control Products Act, the Government of Canada is authorizing an Emergency Registration for Alberta and Saskatchewan to register strychnine until November 2027.
The post Feds allow emergency use of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan to deal with Richardson Ground Squirrel first appeared on Rural Roots Canada.