Ottawa, ON – John Barlow, Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food, released the following statement calling on the federal government to approve the emergency use of strychnine for provinces that request it:
“In 2020, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) cancelled the registration of strychnine and all associated end-use products used to control Richardson’s ground squirrels (RGS) for sale and use in Canada.
“Since then, farmers and rural municipalities across the Prairies have been sounding the alarm about the devastating agricultural impacts of uncontrolled RGS populations. The loss of strychnine has led to widespread infestations, with municipalities reporting severe damage to cropland and pastureland.
“In 2024 alone, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) paid $10.6 million in gopher-related claims, covering 123,000 acres with average losses of $86 per acre. SCIC data from 2020–2024 shows a sustained and significant cost trend due to gopher damage, with indemnities totalling over $44 million over five years.
“One rural municipality in Alberta reported its worst RGS infestation in a decade, while several others have faced moderate to severe damage to valuable agricultural land.
“Farmers used strychnine safely and effectively for decades. Today, the alternatives are labour-intensive, costly, dangerous, and far less effective. The result is mounting economic losses, increased injuries to livestock and a growing threat to farm viability.
“Mark Carney promised that he would change the mandate of the PMRA to ensure they, ‘consider food security and the cost of food in all their regulatory decisions, without compromising on health and safety.’ The development and application of scientifically sound pest management regulations need to support farmers’ choice in tools allowing them to be sustainable, efficient and competitive while also safeguarding human, animal and plant health. It is time for the Liberal government to live up to its promise.
“Rural municipalities, the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, and agriculture organizations have stated there is an urgent need to address this growing crisis and have asked the Liberal government to act by providing access to Strychnine.
“At a time when self-reliance and food security at home are more important than ever, Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to approve the emergency use of strychnine for the provinces that request it.”