WHEREAS the damage the Richardson’s ground squirrel can do to a field or pasture may be devastating;

WHEREAS these rodents readily move into adjacent fields;

WHEREAS some farmers do not take adequate measures to control infestations; and

WHEREAS at present RMs are not allowed to take appropriate measures to enforce their control;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Richardson’s ground squirrel be listed under The Pest Control Act and that RMs be given the same rights to control the Richardson’s ground squirrel as they now have in regards to rats.

Response from Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Minister of Agriculture:
The Ministry of Agriculture is presently preparing the necessary documentation to declare the Richardson’s ground squirrel (RGS) a pest under The Pest Control Act for this coming season.

This is an additional tool in the Ministry’s strategy to assist rural municipalities and producers in their control of RGS. Other programming tools include:

·        The Gopher Control Rebate Program provides assistance to producers, Rural Municipalities, and Indian Bands who incurred significant costs to control gophers.

·        Saskatchewan Crop Insurance programs provide financial assistance for producers affected by RGS. The “Gopher Damage” aspects of crop insurance are part of the multi-peril program including insurable causes of loss under crop establishment and yield loss components.

·        Funding and support of research to investigate options for control of RGS while preserving natural wildlife predators and other non-target animals.

·        Application and granting of the Emergency Use Registration for two per cent liquid strychnine concentrate for designated Rural Municipalities in 2010.