Saskatchewan’s rural municipal councillors appreciate the emergency registration of two-percent liquid strychnine to control gophers.
Now they want that use expanded.
The emergency registration granted by the federal government in August was for one year only and in municipalities deemed to have severe infestations.
At the recent midterm convention of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, delegates passed a resolution to lobby for a two-year extension to that term or until an environmentally friendly solution that works is found.
They also want all municipalities to have access to the poison.
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A resolution submitted from two southwestern RMs indicated that the problem with Richardson’s ground squirrels was first discussed at the SARM convention of 1909, when delegates asked the government to continue a $20 per township rebate for poisoning with strychnine.
Delegates in 2007 voted for full reinstatement of liquid strychnine for use by farmers in Alberta and Saskatchewan. They agreed that each Saskatchewan RM could voluntarily contribute $500 toward research into effective and environmentally acceptable control.
Delegates also showed their environmental side by passing a resolution that would prevent retail outlets from using plastic bags and require them to use paper or cloth bags instead.
