2026: Emergency Use Registration for Strychnine use with Richardson’s Ground Squirrels for the 2026 and 2027 production years was approved by the PMRA under direction of the Prime Minister at the request of western premiers.
Procurement issues resulted in missing the early spring 2026 application window, and lack of product in Canada resulted in low or no inventory for fall applications.
Saskatchewan and Alberta worked collaboratively to align with the increased restrictions put on by PMRA (now PMD) for the Emergency Use.:
- Training for farmers
- Wavers that require users to agree to follow the label, return unused product, attest to infestation levels, and acknowledge that audits will happen
- Restrict the application zone to only those municipalities that have documented evidence of infestation levels
Going forward the ASBPC is recommending the following updates to the Position Statement on Richardson’s Ground Squirrel Control:
- Strychnine be registered in Canada and inventory be kept in the country for timely response during infestations
- The process for Emergency Use Registration (EUR) be improved so it is a true process and not political, and that western provinces can trigger the EUR process based on local conditions (this may be a stand alone position)
- Provincial and Federal investment in data collection and monitoring to support strychnine use when and where needed and provide basis for future innovations.
- Provincial investment in developing public relations and communications messaging to assist municipalities when answering public concerns about the use of strychnine.
Managing Richardson’s Ground Squirrels – Gov of Alberta 2012
Presented at 2025 Provincial ASB Conference:
BACKGROUND:
In 2024 the ASB Provincial Committee passed a motion to create an ASB Position on Strychnine for Ricardson’s Ground Squirrel Control. Below are links to the timelines and history of the use of Strychnine according to the ASB archives and federal government website.
Emergency Use Registration
From PMRA website
“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.”
From Alberta Government website:
“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.
How long does it take?
It takes about 1 week to gather all the information together and prepare a submission package, and 2 to 6 weeks for PMRA to review the information and make a decision.
Emergency registrations must be sponsored by the provincial or federal agency involved in the direct management of the pest problem (for example, 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.
Emergency registrations require and receive immediate attention. Consideration will first be given to products that are already registered in Canada and have previously been subjected to a major review. When no acceptable registered product is available, consideration may be given to products (or uses) that are under evaluation, provided the active ingredient is currently registered in Canada. Those products (or uses) with unacceptable health or environmental risks cannot be considered. The emergency use will be considered only if the product is effective and risks deemed acceptable. Active ingredients not registered in Canada will not be considered.
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.”
Procedure and Information requirements Table included on the website.
Other Resources
Report to agriculture ministers from the FPT Working Group on Pesticides Management : As directed by the Ministers of Agriculture, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) government experts formed a working group to examine challenges and opportunities in Canada’s current approach to pest control. The working group drafted 5 recommendations to improve pesticide management in Canada.
- ASB Position Paper on Richardson’s Ground Squirrel Control
- Evaluation of Alternatives to Strychnine (2023)
- Strychnine and Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (2024)
- Richardson’s Ground Squirrels update (2025)
Wildlife and animal groups are lobbying for elimination of Strychnine:
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