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Municipal Agricultural Service Boards in Alberta are collaborating with the government to manage a severe Richardson's Ground Squirrel infestation using a temporary Emergency Use Registration for 2% liquid strychnine until November 2027. Access is limited to trained producers and is regulated to minimize risks to non-target species and ensure responsible land stewardship.
March 30, 2026 the Canadian Federal government posted a statement on their decision to move forward and allow Emergency Use Registration of 2% Strychnine for Richardson's Ground Squirrel control in the 2026 growing season. Statement from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food on Strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan - March 30, …
Continue reading "Strychnine Emergency Use Approved for Ground Squirrel Control"
On February 2, 2026, the PMRA denied the emergency registration of 2% liquid strychnine for controlling Richardson’s ground squirrels in Alberta and Saskatchewan, citing risks to non-target species. This disappointed agricultural leaders, who argue that strychnine is safe and effective, and they urge the government to reconsider the decision to alleviate economic burdens.
On November 17, the Agricultural Service Board Provincial Committee met with the Minister of Agriculture to discuss priorities for rural municipalities. Key topics included budget constraints, Richardson Ground Squirrel control, veterinary shortages, mental health in agriculture, and on-farm slaughter regulations. ASBs are encouraged to document impacts and prepare for future initiatives.
**Updates** ASBPC meets with SARM on April 22, 2025 Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) SARM has been actively advocating for the reinstatement of strychnine for gopher control through multiple channels, including meeting with Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in Ottawa multiple times before strychnine was deregistered in 2023. They found PMRA to be unresponsive …
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 …
Continue reading "Strychnine and Richardson’s Ground Squirrels"
April 17, 2024 the ASBPC met to review resolution responses to date. Only two responses to the 10 2024 resolutions have been received to date: RESPONSE Resolution 4-24: SUPPORTING A COMPENSATION MULTIPLIER RESPONSE Resolution 7-24: RE-REGISTERATION OF 2% LIQUID STRYCHNINE FOR CERTIFIED APPLICATORS RESOLUTION 4-24: SUPPORTING A COMPENSATION MULTIPLIER This resolution was sent to Agriculture …
Canada Health news release, joint statement with ECCC, and AAFC June 20, 2023 Federal News Release (Health Canada) "Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, along with the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), announced next steps …
Resolution 1-19, 3-21, 4-21, 11-23 2022 research in Saskatchewan and Alberta shows there are effective alternatives to Strychnine for Richardson Ground Squirrel (RGS) control. The study was conducted on grasslands and pastures with high populations of RGS in the MD of Willow Creek in Alberta and the Rural Municipality of Swift Current in Saskatchewan. The …
ASBPC Meeting November 7, 2022: delegation DM Jason Hale and ADM John Conrad. The ASBPC held their annual organizational meeting and met with the newly appointed Deputy Minister (DM) Jason Hale, and longstanding ASB supporter Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) John Conrad at the Edmonton Convention Centre on the first day of the RMA 2023 Fall …
Continue reading "Meeting with the Jason Hale, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation"
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