Emergency strychnine use approved for parts of Saskatchewan

The governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta have received approval for a revised joint Emergency Use Request for the use of two per cent liquid strychnine to support integrated pest management of Richardson's ground squirrels (RGS).

The revised request was submitted last week to Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) following close collaboration between both provinces and the federal government. The revised request included additional stewardship measures and environmental safeguards to support responsible use.

“Saskatchewan producers have been clear about the challenges they face in managing gophers with the limited tools currently available," Agriculture Minister David Marit said. "We are 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. We hope to see strychnine reinstated permanently in the future as a tool producers can use to manage gophers."

Under the Emergency Use Registration authorized through the Pest Control Products Act, areas in approximately seven crop districts in southwest, southeast, south central and northwest Saskatchewan will be eligible to access strychnine. These areas were identified using Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation claims data and information related to species at risk presence.

The revised Emergency Use Registration includes measures to protect species at risk, including a refined geographic scope, increased monitoring and carcass collection and disposal requirements, and enhanced mandatory training.

The federal authorization allows strychnine to be registered for use in Saskatchewan and Alberta until November 2027, subject to all PMRA conditions. Saskatchewan will continue to support producers, including those outside of areas eligible for strychnine, through extension efforts, the Gopher Control Program and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation programs.

"The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has been calling for a practical solution on strychnine for a long time, so today's announcement is a significant win for our members," SARM president Bill Huber said. "SARM will continue to work with governments and producers to ensure this tool is used responsibly and effectively."