Strychnine Use Authorized For Emergency Gopher Control In Prairies

The federal government is authorizing the controlled and time-limited emergency use of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan to address millions of dollars worth of damage caused by an infestation of Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers. Health Canada announced the decision on March 30, 2026, following a revised joint emergency-use request submitted by both provinces.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency had banned the use of strychnine two years ago, citing risks to other wildlife species that could consume poisoned carcasses. Species at risk include the swift fox and burrowing owl, both of which could be affected by the rodent poison. The agency rejected an earlier proposal from the provinces in February 2026 before approving this revised request.

Under the Pest Control Products Act, Ottawa is authorizing the two provinces to register strychnine under an emergency registration until November 2027. The approved request includes additional restrictions and mitigation measures designed to lower the environmental risk of the rodent poison to an acceptable level, according to a Health Canada news release issued on March 30, 2026.

Provincial Response

Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson welcomed the federal decision. In a post on X, Sigurdson stated that this represents significant relief for agricultural producers across the Prairies.

What we have is incredible news for producers across the Prairies. This is a huge win for our agriculture industry, ensuring our producers have the tools they need to better manage their operations and continue providing high-quality products.

RJ Sigurdson, Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Saskatchewan’s Minister of Agriculture David Marit also expressed support for the emergency authorization. Marit noted that Saskatchewan producers had been clear about the challenges they face in managing gophers with the limited tools currently available.

We’re pleased to see the emergency use request granted as a practical opportunity for producers to demonstrate how strychnine can help protect their crops and pastures from continued damage.

David Marit, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture

History of the Ban

Strychnine, in two per cent liquid form, served as the primary gopher control solution on farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan before the federal government began phasing out its use in 2020. The ban became outright in 2024 due to environmental risks posed by the poison. A Health Canada assessment prior to the initial strychnine ban found that the highly-potent neurotoxin posed a risk to non-target organisms like burrowing owls, which have been classified as an endangered species in Canada for more than two decades.

Farmers across Alberta and Saskatchewan had been calling for the opportunity to use strychnine again to manage swelling populations of Richardson’s ground squirrels. The pests target a variety of crops, causing significant agricultural damage throughout the region.

Farmers’ Perspective

Wade Nelson, a farmer near High River, Alberta, reported seeing 170 acres of his canola crops wiped out from a gopher infestation. Nelson applauded the government’s decision to authorize strychnine again for emergency use, describing the situation as a devastating problem for his community and across both provinces.

It’s been a really big struggle. So losing strychnine as an effective tool was a tough pill to swallow. There just isn’t another logical, safe alternative for the management of it, and so that’s why this is a great thing to have.

Wade Nelson, Farmer near High River, Alberta

Nelson indicated he would like to see the authorization extend beyond 2027. He expressed hope that producers, working with municipalities, can demonstrate that the product can be used safely and effectively so that farmers do not have to remain on the knife edge of whether they will be able to continue using it.

The emergency authorization represents a significant policy reversal for the federal government, which had maintained the ban despite ongoing pressure from agricultural producers in the Prairie provinces. The decision balances agricultural needs with environmental protections through the additional restrictions and mitigation measures included in the approved request.

Health Canada’s approval comes after Alberta and Saskatchewan worked together to submit a revised joint emergency-use request that addressed the agency’s previous concerns about wildlife impacts. The time-limited nature of the authorization until November 2027 allows for monitoring of both the effectiveness of gopher control and the environmental safeguards put in place.