Strychnine and Richardson’s Ground Squirrels

Resolution 11-23, Resolution 7-24

Strychnine is no longer registered for use on Richardson’s Ground Squirrels and some ASBs are concerned that populations are again on the rise. Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is the agency of Health Canada “responsible for the pesticide regulation in Canada. Created in 1995, this branch of Health Canada consolidates the resources and responsibilities for pest management regulation.”

Resolutions directed at PMRA or Health Canada asking for a return of Strychnine for Richardson’s Ground Squirrel control or suggesting adjustments to regulation to mitigate impacts are no longer effective. A manufacturer would have to submit a new application for registration with the required research findings, or an application for “Emergency Use Registration” would have to be submitted.

In 2012 the PMRA gave full registration to 2% strychnine use for Richardson’s Ground Squirrels after repeated applications for Emergency Use Registration. Since then considerable investment was made to identify and register alternative products that research found to be just as effective with lower risk to human health, non target species and the envrionment.

Emergency Use Registration

Information on the Emergency Use Registration Process can be found on the PMRA website and on the Agriculture and Irrigation Website.

PMRA – Registration of Pesticides for Emergency Use

“Under the provisions of Section 18 of the Pest Control Products Regulations, the Minister may register a control product, for a period not exceeding one year, for the emergency control of pest infestations that are seriously detrimental to public health, domestic animals, natural resources or other things.

An emergency is generally deemed to exist when the following criteria are met:

• a pest outbreak or pest situation occurs that can cause significant economic, environmental or health problems;
• there is no effective product or application method registered in Canada for the control of the pest; and
• there is no effective, alternative control method available.

Emergency registrations must be sponsored by the provincial or federal agency involved in the direct management of the pest problem (e.g., the provincial Ministry of Agriculture). The sponsor is responsible for providing the necessary information to the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), to support the proposed registration and for obtaining any additional support letters required.” PMRA Website

Province of Alberta – Emergency Use Registration

“Emergency registrations are time limited registrations, granted by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for a period of one year or less. Emergency registrations for Alberta can be applied for through Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Submission packages are coordinated by the Provincial Emergency and Minor Use Coordinator (780-427-9945) with the help of the industry specialists, provincial ARD staff, grower organizations, registrants, and others. They are not intended to solve ongoing pest problems, and are normally granted only twice by PMRA, however there are exceptions.

Procedure and Information requirements Table included on the website. 

Supporting documents: