The federal Conservatives say Canada must approve the emergency use of the poison strychnine against gopher infestations.
Conservative MP John Barlow, who is the shadow minister for agriculture, called for the measure in a press release.
He says populations of Richardson’s ground squirrels have been out of control on farms and rural municipalities since the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) cancelled the registration of the poison in 2020.
The PMRA re-evaluated the pesticide and said it posed risks to non-target animals like birds.
Bans on the sale, and eventually use of strychnine came in following years.
According to the statement, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation paid $10.6 million in gopher-related claims in 2024.
Alternative products, such as zinc phosphide, exist for gopher control, but many say they aren’t as effective.
