Group wanted strychnine back

EAGLE STAFF

A Saskatchewan farm group called for the federal government to temporarily reverse a decision to ban using strychnine against gophers.

The Agricultural Producers of Saskatchewan urged the agriculture and health ministers “to urgently consider the reinstatement of strychnine” under emergency-use provisions of the Pest Control Products Regulations, a Producers statement said.

“This request is driven by the significant and uncontrolled increase in Richardson's ground squirrel populations, which is inflicting economic damages estimated to average nearly $9 million annually,” the statement explained.

The association wanted the government to immediately approve using strychnine on a temporary basis and suggested that officials “encourage collaboration for innovative, effective and environmentally safe pest-control alternatives,” it said.

Organization leaders understand why the government ended the use of strychnine but, “the current methods available for ground-squirrel management are largely ineffective, impractical or too costly,” the statement said.