After experiencing significant delays, the official window for using strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan began on Wednesday. Farmers are now permitted to utilize the controversial rodenticide to manage Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly referred to as gophers, until September 1. However, challenges arise due to limited quantities and concerns regarding the product’s efficacy at this late stage of the year.
Strychnine was granted approval for controlled and time-limited emergency use in Alberta and Saskatchewan after extensive advocacy by the provinces, following its prohibition by Health Canada two years ago due to environmental hazards. The Alberta government estimates that gopher infestations result in a risk exceeding $800 million to hay and pastures annually in the province.
Under the Pest Control Products Act, the emergency use authorization allows producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan to employ strychnine until November 2027, but strictly within designated seasonal windows. 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.
Although delayed, the product has now reached eligible municipalities in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with demand surpassing supply in many cases. Some municipalities like Wheatland County and Flagstaff County have implemented lottery systems to determine which producers can procure strychnine. However, concerns exist that it may be ineffective at this time of year, leading the Municipal District of Wainwright in east-central Alberta to decide against making strychnine available due to limited product availability and the timing in the season.
With gophers potentially entering a dormant state called estivation from July to September, the effectiveness of strychnine during this period is also uncertain. While 71 producers in the Municipal District of Wainwright completed mandatory strychnine training, inquiries have diminished due to doubts about its effectiveness. The aim is to retain the strychnine for next year to allow producers a full season of use.
There is ongoing advocacy for extending the special use approval for another year amidst views that the current season may be considered a loss. Alexandre Bergeron, spokesperson for the federal minister of health, emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and the agricultural sector while ensuring responsible use to protect the environment, species at risk, and public health.
Concerns persist regarding the environmental impact of strychnine, which was previously a common gopher control method in Alberta and Saskatchewan before being phased out by the federal government in 2020 and banned outright in 2024 due to environmental risks. The poison’s impact on at-risk species like swift foxes and burrowing owls has raised significant concerns among conservation specialists.
Health Canada’s re-evaluation of strychnine highlighted the risks associated with its use, including the potential for poisoning unintended species and environmental contamination. Despite the new protocols and environmental requirements, critics argue that the decision to reintroduce strychnine lacks scientific evidence and may pose risks to ecosystems.
The Alberta government suggests various alternatives for gopher control, including legal pesticides, fumigation, and promoting predator activity to manage gopher populations effectively. Encouraging tall vegetation growth and implementing livestock grazing practices to deter gopher colonies are among the recommended strategies for farmers.
In conclusion, while the use of strychnine for gopher control has been reinstated under specific conditions, the debate over its environmental impact and effectiveness remains a contentious issue, prompting calls for diversified pest management strategies in agricultural practices.