Most Canadians cannot believe that the federal government still allows wild animals to be poisoned. Alberta and Saskatchewan still use Strychnine, a highly toxic poison to kill ground squirrels. But now, for the first time, Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) under Health Canada is recommending a ban on the use of Strychnine for this purpose.
The PMRA states “Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act and based on the evaluation of currently available scientific information, Health Canada is proposing that products containing strychnine for control of ground squirrels do not meet current standards for environmental protection and, are therefore, proposed to be cancelled.”
A Rare Opportunity:
Banning of this type of strychnine use is very rare and will help end the suffering of ground squirrels, as well as non-target animals. Just this spring, a young dog named Ruby died after ingesting the poison set out to kill ground squirrels. In 2017, in Saskatchewan, a dog named Roo also died from ingesting the same poison.
You can help us make sure that Heath Canada decides to stop the use of cruel strychnine. You can also help send a strong message to the Minister of Health and federal Members of Parliament that the production and sale of other poisons, such as Compound 1080, strychnine use for wolves and coyotes, and Sodium cyanide should also be banned.
How You Can Help:
Please send two emails before September 27, 2018. Be sure to include the document title (PRVD2018-13, Strychnine and Its Associated End-use Products (Ground Squirrel Use)) in your subject line or in the body of your email.
1) Email your support of the ban to hc.pmra.publications-arla.sc@canada.ca or use their comment form at this website (click here).
It can be as simple as the following, or you may use the sample letter to the Minister below:
I am opposed to the use of strychnine products for the control of ground squirrels. There is significant and sufficient evidence to show it is ineffective in the long-term, that it is inherently inhumane, and that it has serious negative environmental impacts in ecosystems.
I believe that your re-evaluation should result in banning this substance for use against ground squirrels as suggested in your document PRVD2018-13.
Sincerely,
2) Email or mail (postage-free!) the Minister of Health, Ginette Petitpas Taylor.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. As always, thank you for your activism.
To read Health Canada’s Strychnine Consultation Document, click here.
Comments 1
Stop killing innocent animals they have just as much right to live as we humans do.