As you are aware Health Canada wants to end the use of products containing strychnine for Richardson Ground Squirrel (RGS) control following a re-evaluation by its Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). The PMRA has environmental concerns about the potential poisionng of non-target animals.
Health Canada opened a 90-day public consultation period on June 29, 2018 the consultation is to conclude September 29, 2018. The timing on the re-evaluation decision on strychnine did not allow consideration for busy agricultural producers to be heard. There is no adequate alternative to strychnine for controlling the RGS population.
Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) has created an electronic petition on their website as well as a printable form letter to be sent to Health Canada. We encourage you to utilize and share these tools in your communities. Please use the following link to access the petition, form letter and direct submission form https://skstockgrowers.com/strychnine/. Remember the current deadline is September 29th, spread the word.
