Temporary (2-year) approval of Strychnine for Gopher Control
Saskatchewan Welcomes Pest Management Regulatory Agency Approval of Emergency Strychnine Use
Released on March 31, 2026
The Governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta received approval for a revised joint Emergency Use Request for the use of two per cent liquid strychnine to support integrated pest management of Richardson's ground squirrels (RGS).
The revised request was submitted last week to Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) following close collaboration between both provinces and the federal government. The revised request included additional stewardship measures and environmental safeguards to support responsible use.
"Saskatchewan producers have been clear about the challenges they face in managing gophers with the limited tools currently available," Agriculture Minister David Marit said. "We are pleased to see the emergency use request granted as a practical opportunity for producers to demonstrate how strychnine can help protect their crops and pastures from continued damage. We hope to see strychnine reinstated permanently in the future as a tool producers can use to manage gophers."
Under the Emergency Use Registration authorized through the Pest Control Products Act, areas in approximately seven crop districts in southwest, southeast, south central and northwest Saskatchewan will be eligible to access strychnine. These areas were identified using Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation claims data and information related to species at risk presence.
The revised Emergency Use Registration includes measures to protect species at risk, including a refined geographic scope, increased monitoring and carcass collection and disposal requirements and enhanced mandatory training.
The federal authorization allows strychnine to be registered for use in Saskatchewan and Alberta until November 2027, subject to all PMRA conditions. Saskatchewan will continue to support producers, including those outside of areas eligible for strychnine, through extension efforts, the Gopher Control Program and Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation programs.
The RM plans to reintroduce a strychnine program, subject to availability and regulatory requirements. Use of strychnine will be strictly regulated, and it is expected that permits, tracking, and/or application paperwork will be required for both the RM and participating landowners.
As we await these regulations and instructions we are adding interested Ratepayers to a list so we can contact when the program and product is available. Please contact the office to be added to the list.