Control of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
Res #: 14-25A
Number: 14
Year: 2025
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
WHEREAS Richardson’s ground squirrel damage to crops and pasture land can be devastating.
WHEREAS some farmers do not control these rodents in their own fields; and Richardson’s ground squirrels will move from infested uncontrolled fields into surrounding fields.
WHEREAS The Pest Control Act was repealed in 2024 and replaced with The Plant Health Act.
WHEREAS without the Richardson’s ground squirrel being included in The Plant Health Act and associated regulations, there are no legislated measures for RM’s to enforce control of these rodents.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Richardson’s ground squirrel be included in The Plant Health Act and associated regulations in order to give RMs the ability to control Richardson ground squirrels in their RMs.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
April 2, 2025
The intent of The Plant Health Act is to declare and regulate only new or emerging pests. As Richardson’s ground squirrels are native and widespread, there is limited ability to eradicate or significantly reduce their numbers.
The ministry remains committed to supporting rural municipalities (RMs), First Nations, and Saskatchewan producers in managing Richardson’s ground squirrels through continued monitoring, extension for integrated pest management approaches, and programming support. This includes funding to control Richardson’s ground squirrels, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) Gopher Control Program, administered by SARM. In 2024, eligible claims were received from 186 RMs and five First Nations, resulting in approximately $900,000 in approved funding. This program will continue, despite the Richardson’s ground squirrel no longer being declared a pest under The Plant Health Act.
The ministry continues to be disappointed with the de-registration of strychnine for Richardson’s ground squirrel control. Science indicates that this product, when used according to label instructions, was effective and presented the best option for controlling Richardson’s ground squirrel populations and mitigating the significant impacts on agriculture operations.
Although RMs no longer have the authority to enforce the control of Richardson’s ground squirrels, it is still considered a nuisance pest, which provides the ministry authority to conduct surveys and take action in the case of a significant pest outbreak. The ministry also supports research and extension into alternative rodenticides with strychnine no longer registered for control.
Daryl Harrison – Minister of Agriculture, Government of Saskatchewan
