Resolution 31-02A

WHEREAS, many areas are having exploding gopher numbers and current gopher poisons are not effective;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that 2 percent strychnine in 250 ml containers be available to Rural Municipal Offices in Saskatchewan between the months of March through September each year for sale to individual farmers and ranchers to be mixed by the said user with his or her own grain

Response From the Hon. Clay Serby:

SAFRR recognizes the importance of having access to fresh strychnine bait early in the spring season. We worked with stakeholders to obtain an emergency registrant of two per cent liquid strychnine concentrate (LSC) in 2001, as well as to obtain approval for 2002.

We were successful in gaining emergency registration of two per cent LSC for the period beginning March 15, 2002, and ending June 30, 2002. However, SAFRR's request for direct producer access was not granted.

The emergency registration targets a number of rural municipalities that have self-identified as requiring gopher control. While these numbers are primarily in western Saskatchewan, all rural municipalities in the province will be informed of the new protocol. Any rural municipalities declaring a gopher problem will then be able to participate.

The 2002 ground squirrel control program will be similar to last year's program. Specifically, farmers in rural municipalities that have access to the two per cent LSC are expected to supply their own grain (cleaned oats and wheat) for mixing down to the 0.4 per cent active ingredient level by the rural municipality's pest control officer. by allowing the local pest control officer to do the mixing, it will help to ensure that producers can have ground squirrel bait mixed in a timely manner.