Alberta and Saskatchewan growers will not have access to strychnine for the 2026 growing season after Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) rejected a joint emergency use registration request for 2% liquid strychnine to control Richardson’s ground squirrels.
The decision has drawn criticism from both provincial governments, which argue producers are running out of effective tools to manage a pest that causes significant damage to crops, hay land and pasture. Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said producers have been clear about the limits of currently registered alternatives and called on PMRA to reconsider its ruling.
Saskatchewan and Alberta submitted the emergency use request on Oct. 1, 2025, following continued concerns from farmers and industry groups about the on-farm effectiveness of available products. Provincial officials say they worked closely with PMRA throughout the scientific review process, responding to technical questions and proposing strengthened mitigation measures aimed at reducing risks to non-target species.
Those measures included narrower application windows, mandatory applicator training, enhanced reporting requirements and tighter stewardship rules. PMRA ultimately determined the proposed safeguards were not sufficient to reduce environmental and wildlife risks to an acceptable level, a conclusion Saskatchewan disputes.
With strychnine unavailable for 2026, Saskatchewan says it will pivot toward a broader Richardson’s ground squirrel management strategy. That plan includes continued advocacy for a federal regulatory system that considers economic impacts, support through the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities’ Gopher Control Program, expanded extension efforts to improve the performance of registered alternatives, and new research into best management practices, population monitoring and predictive modelling.
Alberta Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson echoed those concerns, calling the decision devastating for many producers. He said the annual risk to hay and native pasture exceeds $800 million and warned that unchecked ground squirrel populations could worsen food affordability and security challenges.
Both provinces argue farmers are responsible land stewards and that the proposed mitigation measures balanced environmental protection with the need to safeguard crops, livestock and farm viability. Alberta and Saskatchewan are urging PMRA to revisit the decision and reinstate access to strychnine as a practical control option.
