Regina, Sask. (Rural Roots Canada) – Saskatchewan is expanding access to liquid strychnine for producers dealing with Richardson’s ground squirrels.
The province has announced the use of strychnine has been extended to cover 208 rural municipalities across roughly 15 crop districts in southern and western Saskatchewan, areas identified as having the highest populations of the pest.
Agriculture Minister David Marit said the move follows feedback from producers who argued the previous eligibility area did not reflect where the rodent infestations are most severe.
“We heard from farmers and ranchers that further expanding the eligible area was necessary,” he said. “This change better reflects regions with the highest Richardson’s ground squirrel populations and ensures producers have access to the right tools to manage this pest.”
The expansion was approved after the province submitted a request to Health Canada’s Pesticides Regulatory Directorate to widen the eligibility area while maintaining the necessary protections for species at risk.
Under the revised emergency use registration, additional safeguards have been put in place, including increased monitoring requirements, mandatory carcass collection and disposal, and additional training for users.
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The Ministry of Agriculture is also developing a Strychnine Stewardship Program in partnership with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. Details of the program, along with manufacturing timelines, are expected to be shared through rural municipalities once they’re finalized.
For the upcoming growing season, strychnine is expected to be available for late-summer application. If supply becomes available before the spring application window closes, producers will be notified through their local rural municipalities.
Richardson’s ground squirrels, also known as gophers, have posed an ongoing challenge for farmers and ranchers across regions of Saskatchewan and Alberta. The rodents consume crops and damage pastures with their extensive burrowing, costing producers millions of dollars. The holes they create also pose an injury risk to both humans and livestock.
Last month, Health Canada approved a time-limited and controlled emergency use of the poison to help control the gopher population, after the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) previously denied a joint request by Saskatchewan and Alberta to give emergency approval of liquid strychnine to curb the spread of the animal.
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.
