After facing considerable delays, the authorized period for using strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan commenced on Wednesday. Farmers are permitted to utilize the controversial rodenticide to manage Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly referred to as gophers, until September 1. However, issues surrounding limited quantities and doubts regarding the product’s effectiveness at this stage of the year are causing complications.
The approval for controlled and time-limited emergency use of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan was granted following extensive advocacy by the provinces, subsequent to its prohibition by Health Canada two years ago due to environmental concerns. The Alberta government highlights that gopher infestations in the province pose a risk of over $800 million to hay and pastures annually.
Under the Pest Control Products Act, the emergency use authorization enables producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan to employ strychnine until November 2027, but only within strict seasonal windows. Unfortunately, the anticipated spring application window from March 1 to June 15 was missed due to supply chain challenges faced by Agromax, the sole authorized manufacturer of strychnine in Canada.
Nonetheless, the product has now reached eligible municipalities in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with demand surpassing supply in several instances. Counties such as Wheatland and Flagstaff are resorting to lottery systems to determine which producers can access strychnine. Conversely, the Municipal District of Wainwright in east-central Alberta declared on Tuesday that it will not offer strychnine to producers this year due to the late season timing and extremely limited product availability.
Shelby Oracheski, Wainwright’s agricultural fieldman, emphasized that the optimal period for using such products is before the spring green-up, as alternative food sources diminish the bait’s attractiveness as the season progresses. While 71 producers in the municipality completed the required strychnine training, inquiries have dwindled due to concerns about its efficacy at this time.
There is a prospect for continued advocacy to extend the special use approval for another year, given that the current season is somewhat perceived as a loss. Alexandre Bergeron, spokesperson for the federal minister of health, affirmed the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and safeguarding the environment, species at risk, and public health during the July 15 to September 1 application window.
Strychnine was formerly the primary gopher control method on farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan until the federal government began phasing out its usage in 2020, leading to an outright ban in 2024 due to environmental risks. These risks included potential harm to at-risk species like swift foxes and burrowing owls.
Conservation specialist Ruiping Luo from the Alberta Wilderness Association highlighted concerns about strychnine’s impact on the ecosystem, as it can inadvertently affect non-target animals and predators. The ban was also reinforced by Health Canada’s findings that suggested strychnine use resulted in environmental contamination and unintended consequences, such as the accidental poisoning of dogs.
While the new strychnine program is subject to stringent requirements and environmental safeguards, some argue that the decision lacks substantial scientific backing despite the acknowledged risks. The Alberta government proposes alternative methods for gopher control, such as legal pesticides, fumigation, and encouraging predator activity to mitigate gopher populations without relying solely on a single compound.
Additional strategies for farmers include promoting tall vegetation growth, managing grazing practices to deter gopher colonies, and fostering predator habitats to maintain a balanced ecosystem and minimize reliance on harmful chemicals.