WHEREAS the Richardson’s Ground Squirrel meets the definition of an agricultural pest under the Pest Control Products Act due to the substantial damage inflicted on crops, livestock and equipment resulting in economic losses for farmers and ranchers.

WHEREAS strychnine sale or distribution has been prohibited by federal statute since March 4, 2022.

WHEREAS there is no adequate alternative to strychnine for controlling the Richardson’s Ground Squirrel population.

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to restructure the guidelines and reinstate the use of strychnine to control mass populations of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel while meeting current standards for environmental protection.