Map may be downloaded from the following link: Strychnine Use Area-9April26

The province sent a formal request to the federal government last week to expand the eligible areas in Saskatchewan, so they better align with regions experiencing significant Richardson’s ground squirrel populations. As a result, the Emergency Use Registration has been expanded to allow a broader range of Saskatchewan rural municipalities access to two per cent liquid strychnine for integrated pest management of Richardson’s ground squirrels until November 2027.

We recognize that, even with an expanded map, some areas of the province with Richardson’s ground squirrel issues will still not have access to strychnine under this Emergency Use Registration. Limiting the geographic scope was a requirement by the Pesticide Regulatory Directorate (formerly Pest Management Regulatory Agency or PMRA) to reduce the risk.

In RMs without access to strychnine, the province has committed to continue to support Richardson’s ground squirrel management through:

• Extension and education efforts
• The Gopher Control Program, which helps offset the cost of registered alternatives to strychnine
• Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation programs

At this time, there are no stocks of strychnine available for distribution in Canada. The registrant is expected to require approximately six to eight weeks to import the active ingredient, manufacture the 2 per cent liquid strychnine concentrate, and distribute product across Saskatchewan and Alberta.

This means, for the 2026 season, strychnine may not be available until the late summer application window Mid-July after green material starts drying down). If strychnine is available before the spring application window closes the Ministry of Agriculture will communicate through SARM to RMs that have expressed interest and completed required training in time.

Once logistics are finalized with the distributor, details on the provincial stewardship program and the required user training will be shared through SARM and your local RM later this spring.

The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to work with SARM to advocate for longer term access to strychnine in areas where justified by producer need, while supporting safeguards that protect species at risk and other non target wildlife.