The province is continuing to solve logistic and training barriers regarding the Emergency Use Registration of strychnine, and will keep municipalities informed and their website up to date.
Registration Timeline
A temporary registration timeline is expected to run for approximately 19 months, from now until November 2027. The goal during this period is to demonstrate responsible use and effectiveness so that the product can become a long-term tool within the integrated pest management (IPM) model.
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation has a great website that outlines control measures for Richardson’s Ground Squirrels.
Training Requirements
Municipalities – Stewardship training for fieldmen is planned for mid-April. Training is needed to dispense product.
Producers – Municipalities will be responsible for producer training. This training is separate from the Farmer Pesticide Certificate, and the province plans to move this to an online training program in the future. Training is needed to purchase product in addition to being located within the strychnine focus area. Flagstaff is within this area. See the map HERE.
Supply and Distribution
The product will be sourced from India and shipped to a Canadian vendor for dilution and distribution. It is currently not available in Canada. Once imported, it is estimated to take six to eight weeks before producers can access it. The product is expected to arrive at the end of May.
Municipalities with vendor certification will be able to order and distribute the product under a Retail Vendor Registration. A certified applicator or dispenser must be on staff. Flagstaff is compliant with these restrictions.
Geographic Availability
Use will be restricted to certain areas of the province, though most regions with gopher activity are expected to qualify.
Application Windows
Spring applications can occur from early May-June. A second window targeting juveniles will run from mid-July to the end of August. These are the application windows and are subject to change. With these time constraints on product delivery and application, other application methods may need to be utilized. Flagstaff sells alternative rodenticide and application products at cost recovery including: traps, RoCon, and Weevil-Cide. There are also other rodenticide feed baits and control options available at local retail locations.
Purchase Limits
Producer purchase limits will be based on infestation thresholds and affected acres. Stockpiling or inflating acreage could risk program continuation or product availability.
Compliance
The PMRA will conduct field and producer audits to ensure compliance with program requirements.
What’s Next
Administration is contacting landowners who have reached out for product access to inform and confirm producers interested in training. We will be maintaining a producer list to offer training as soon as we can and will keep the public updated and aware of how to access product.