Farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan will once again have access to two per cent liquid strychnine after Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) approved a revised emergency-use request submitted jointly by the two Prairie provinces. The authorization is time‑limited and controlled, taking effect immediately and running until November 2027, under the Pest Control Products Act. This marks a reversal from PMRA’s earlier rejection in February, which had left producers deeply concerned about mounting damage from Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS) or gophers.
The approval follows intensive collaboration between Saskatchewan, Alberta, and federal regulators after a surge in RGS populations contributed to millions of dollars in crop and pasture losses across the Prairies. The revised request included additional stewardship measures, stricter geographic targeting, enhanced carcass‑collection requirements, mandatory training, and risk‑mitigation protocols to protect species at risk.
Why strychnine was reconsidered
Strychnine—long considered one of the most effective tools for controlling RGS—was banned nationally in 2023 over concerns that poisoned carcasses could harm non‑target wildlife, including species at risk such as burrowing owls and swift foxes. The PMRA originally rejected the provinces’ 2025 emergency-use application in February, citing insufficient evidence that proposed safeguards would reduce environmental risks to acceptable levels.
But faced with escalating ground squirrel infestations, the provinces resubmitted a strengthened application last week with narrower use areas and more stringent environmental protections. The PMRA determined the new measures sufficiently addressed its earlier concerns, leading to Monday’s approval.
Targeted rollout across both provinces
In Saskatchewan, eligible use areas include parts of the southwest, southeast, south‑central, and northwest regions—locations selected using crop insurance and species‑at‑risk data. Increased monitoring, training, and disposal procedures will be mandatory
In Alberta, access will also be restricted to defined regions with high gopher pressure. The provincial government said it is now working to procure supply and implement the full stewardship framework.
Ministerial reaction
Alberta: A huge win for agriculture industry
Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, RJ Sigurdson, welcomed the PMRA’s decision, calling it “incredible news for producers across the Prairies.” Sigurdson emphasized that farmers had been “running out of effective tools,” and the reinstatement of strychnine would “ensure our producers have the tools they need to better manage their operations.”
He further noted:
“This decision means many prairie farmers will have another tool back in their toolbox for gopher control.” Sigurdson added that Alberta producers had faced significant challenges from RGS infestations, and he thanked provincial and federal leaders who advocated for the approval.
Saskatchewan: Producers have been clear about the challenges
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said the approval reflects the urgent needs of producers struggling to manage gopher populations with limited alternatives.
“Saskatchewan producers have been clear about the challenges they face in managing gophers with the limited tools currently available,” 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.”
Marit also reiterated that Saskatchewan hopes to see strychnine reinstated permanently, adding emergency authorization provides a necessary stopgap while longer‑term solutions are explored.
Temporary relief — Debate continues
While many Prairie farmers welcome strychnine’s return, environmental groups and federal regulators continue to express concerns about risks to wildlife. PMRA’s approval explicitly emphasizes that the emergency authorization does not signal a permanent reinstatement and will remain subject to tight oversight until its scheduled expiry in late 2027.
Both provinces say they will continue to work with federal agencies to monitor impacts, support producer stewardship, and collect data that could inform any future regulatory decisions.
