After facing substantial delays, the authorized period for utilizing strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan commenced on Wednesday. Farmers in these provinces are allowed to employ the controversial rodenticide to manage Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers, until September 1. However, limited supplies and doubts regarding the product’s efficacy at this late stage of the year are causing complications.
Strychnine was granted controlled and time-limited emergency approval in Alberta and Saskatchewan after persistent lobbying efforts by both provinces, subsequent to its prohibition by Health Canada two years ago due to environmental hazards. The Alberta government states that gopher infestations in the province pose an annual risk exceeding $800 million to hay and pastures.
Under the Pest Control Products Act, the emergency use authorization permits producers in Alberta and Saskatchewan to utilize strychnine until November 2027 but restricts its application to specific seasonal periods. The anticipated spring application window from March 1 to June 15 was missed due to Agromax, the sole authorized manufacturer of strychnine in Canada, encountering supply chain challenges, leading to no shipments during that period.
Despite the delays, eligible municipalities in Alberta and Saskatchewan now have access to the product. However, demand surpasses supply in many cases, prompting counties like Wheatland and Flagstaff to implement lottery systems for selecting producers eligible to purchase strychnine. Conversely, the Municipal District of Wainwright in east-central Alberta announced the unavailability of strychnine this year due to the lateness in the season and extremely limited product availability.
Concerns are raised about the effectiveness of strychnine at this time of year, with experts suggesting that its application is more successful in early spring before alternative food sources become abundant. The current season is considered a potential write-off, and efforts are underway for advocacy to extend the special use approval for another year.
The environmental impact of strychnine usage remains a subject of concern. Before its phased elimination in 2020 and subsequent outright ban in 2024 due to environmental risks, strychnine was a common gopher control solution on farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The neurotoxin’s adverse effects on at-risk species such as swift foxes and burrowing owls have raised alarms among conservation specialists and environmentalists.
While the newly implemented strychnine program includes stringent requirements and environmental safeguards, critics argue that the decision lacks substantial scientific backing despite the recognized risks. The Alberta government proposes various alternatives for gopher control, emphasizing legal pesticides, fumigation, and strategies to enhance predator activity as more sustainable approaches for farmers to adopt.