The ASB Provincial Committee received a response from Peter Brandr, the Executive Director of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) this week in response to Resolution 3-21: An Effective Solution for Control of Richardson Ground Squirrels in Alberta and Resolution 4-21: Registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine.
Peter reiterates the roll of PMRA to re evaluate pesticides to “assess whether they continue to meet the Department’s health and environmental standards“, and goes on to outline the steps taken including public consultation in the re-evaluation process. The conclusion of the re-evaluation process was that “the environmental risks associated with the use of strychnine for the control of Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS) remained due to the lack of practical mitigation measures to protect non-target organisms, including
species at risk.”
He goes on to suggest the alternatives that are currently registered for use on Richardson’s Ground Squirrels and encourages “grower groups to contact the registrants of potential alternative products, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and their provincial representatives to discuss the possibility of pursuing further research into RGS control.”
“Please note that the Province of Alberta and several regional municipalities have submitted Notices of Objection (NoO) to request a “Reconsideration of Decision” following the re-evaluation decision. The NoOs are currently being assessed, and the outcome will be posted to Health Canada’s PMRA website in the Public Registry.”
Re-evaluation Decision RVD2020-06, Strychnine and Its Associated End-use Products (Richardson’s Ground Squirrels)The Re-Evaluation of Strychnine
The full response is currently posted on our website on the 2021 Resolution page.
Agricultural Service Boards 