Conservative MP for Swift Current-Grasslands-Kindersley Jeremy Patzer warns gaps in coverage may leave farmers struggling to control Richardson ground squirrels.

Health Canada has approved the temporary use of 2% strychnine in designated areas of Alberta and Saskatchewan, following requests from provincial governments to help control Richardson ground squirrel populations.

Patzer, says the decision is a step forward, but significant concerns remain about who will benefit from the emergency measure.

“It’s certainly a step in the right direction. It’s good to see they are willing to at least provide that temporary use,” Patzer said. “But the devil is in the details because it is only temporary and only in certain zones.”

Coverage gaps raise concerns

The zones selected for the emergency exemption in Saskatchewan were based on data from Saskatchewan Crop Insurance. However, Patzer says some of the hardest-hit areas, particularly in the southwest, are not included.

Those regions are largely made up of native prairie grass and are heavily relied on by cattle producers, who have been among those most impacted by Richardson ground squirrel damage.

Supply challenges and timing issues

Patzer also pointed to potential challenges in accessing the product. Strychnine has effectively been banned in Canada for nearly a decade, meaning supplies will need to be sourced from the United States.

He warned that delays are already having an impact.

“The spring is around the corner. People already need this product now. In some cases, they needed it three weeks ago,” he said.

Farmers near Maple Creek and other parts of the region have already reported significant gopher activity, raising concerns about further crop and pasture losses before the product becomes available.

Too late to control populations?

While the provincial agriculture minister has indicated work is ongoing with the federal government to address gaps, current timelines suggest applications may not be available until between July and September.

Patzer says that window could limit the effectiveness of the program.

“The ideal situation is to get ahead of the population before they start reproducing. By the time applications happen, it will be more about catching up rather than controlling the problem,” he said.

Training and safety regulations still unclear

Additional questions remain around how the product will be distributed and applied. Mandatory training will be required for those using strychnine, but details on who will receive that training and how it will be delivered have not yet been finalized.

Patzer says those details will be key to ensuring producers can actually use the product when it becomes available.

Significant impact on producers

Patzer says the scale of damage caused by Richardson ground squirrels is already severe across parts of his riding.

“I’ve toured farms where entire quarter sections have been wiped out, alfalfa feed for cattle, cropland destroyed. Some fields have lost half to three-quarters of their yield,” he said. “There are also animal health and safety issues with gopher holes causing injuries to cattle or horses. People’s livelihoods are at stake.”

He hopes the federal government will continue working with provincial leaders to address the current gaps and eventually move toward reinstating the product on a permanent basis.

Source - https://westcentralonline.com