PMRA rejects request from Alberta and Saskatchewan for emergency use of strychnine

"Saskatchewan producers have been clear about the challenges they face in managing Richardson's ground squirrels with the limited tools available,"

"We are extremely disappointed by PMRA's decision and ask them to reconsider this decision. We need a federal regulatory system that considers economic impacts felt by producers and the realities on the ground."

"Alberta's producers are facing significant challenges when managing Richardson's ground squirrels (RGS) and the loss of this effective control method is devastating for many across the agriculture sector. The annual risk to hay and native pastures exceeds $800 million and the risk of this exploding RGS population is detrimental to farms and ranches across the country,"

"The downstream effect will also contribute to the ongoing food affordability and security crisis we are facing in Canada."

Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency denied an emergency request from Alberta and Saskatchewan to permit two percent liquid strychnine for managing Richardson's ground squirrels. Strychnine use for Richardson's ground squirrels has been banned nationwide since 2023, with all other uses prohibited in 2024. The provinces submitted the request in October, citing rising gopher populations, producer and rancher concerns, and limited effectiveness of registered alternatives. Alberta estimated more than $800 million annual risk to hay and native pastures and warned of downstream effects on food affordability and security. Both provinces urged PMRA to reconsider and proposed mitigation measures to protect non-target species.

Read at Realagriculture