Ottawa has granted approval for the limited and controlled emergency utilization of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan to combat the significant damage caused by an infestation of Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers.
After the Pest Management Regulatory Agency rejected their initial proposal in February, Alberta and Saskatchewan submitted a revised joint emergency-use request to Health Canada last week. The agency had prohibited the use of strychnine two years ago, citing risks to other wildlife species that consume poisoned carcasses, including species-at-risk like the swift fox and burrowing owl.
Health Canada stated in a news release on Monday that the provinces’ revised request, which includes additional restrictions and mitigation measures, aims to reduce the environmental risk of the rodent poison to an acceptable level.
Under an emergency registration authorized by Ottawa until November 2027, the two provinces will be allowed to register strychnine as per the Pest Control Products Act.
“This development is fantastic news for farmers throughout the Prairies,” expressed RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s minister of agriculture and irrigation, in a post online. “It is a significant victory for our agriculture sector, ensuring that our farmers have the necessary tools to effectively manage their operations and continue delivering high-quality products.”
Farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan have been advocating for the reinstatement of strychnine to address the escalating populations of Richardson’s ground squirrels, which pose a threat to various crops.
Strychnine, previously used in a two per cent liquid form for gopher control on farms in the two provinces, was phased out by the federal government in 2020 and completely banned in 2024 due to environmental concerns associated with its usage.
“Saskatchewan producers have been vocal about the difficulties they face in controlling gophers with the limited tools currently available,” stated David Marit, Saskatchewan’s minister of agriculture, in a press release. “We welcome the approval of the emergency use request as a practical opportunity for farmers to demonstrate how strychnine can safeguard their crops and pastures from ongoing damage.”
Wade Nelson, a farmer near High River, Alberta, highlighted the substantial impact of a gopher infestation on his canola crops, emphasizing the importance of reinstating strychnine for emergency use. He expressed hope for an extension of the authorization beyond 2027 to allow for continued safe and effective utilization of the product by producers working in collaboration with municipalities.
