“I am pleased that the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has accepted Alberta and Saskatchewan’s re-submission for emergency use registration for two per cent liquid strychnine for Richardson’s ground squirrel control. We heard concerns from farmers and ranchers across the prairies and successfully advocated on their behalf for the federal government to reverse its decision.
“This decision means that many prairie farmers will have another tool back in their toolbox for gopher control. Alberta’s producers have faced significant challenges managing Richardson’s ground squirrels and the loss of this effective control method has been difficult and costly for many in the agriculture sector. Some of Alberta’s producers saw thousands of dollars in crop and pasture damage last year alone, and many faced livestock injuries and equipment damage.
“I’d like to thank Premier Danielle Smith for her advocacy directly to Prime Minister Carney. Ensuring we have open lines of communication from the provincial to federal government is crucial to resolving issues of this nature.
“I also extend my gratitude to federal Minister Heath MacDonald for his work on ensuring this issue was resolved.
“I’m proud to work alongside Saskatchewan Minister David Marit on this application to ensure both provinces secure access to this effective control measure.
“We are working to procure supply and fully implement the agreement as soon as possible, and we will continue to work closely with farmers and ranchers across the province in the coming days to share more information.
“Farmers and ranchers across the prairies work tirelessly to feed Canadians and the world and they are already excellent stewards of the land. They know that responsible pesticide use is crucial to reducing environmental impact.
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