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September 26, 2005
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Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has re-evaluated
the available data on strychnine and is inviting interested parties to comment
on the proposals outlined in Proposed Acceptability for Continuing Registration
document PACR2005-08 , Re-evaluation
of Strychnine. The re-evaluation was conducted as part of Health Canada’s program
to re-assess all pesticides registered prior to 1995 using current scientific
approaches.
First, based on the re-evaluation, Health Canada is proposing that the use of strychnine to control Northern pocket gophers, skunks, pigeons, wolves, coyotes and black bears be maintained. These uses do not raise concerns for human health or the environment provided that the mitigative measures proposed in the Proposed Acceptability for Continuing Registration document are adopted.
Second, Health Canada is proposing that the use of strychnine to control Richardson’s, Columbian, Franklin and thirteen-lined ground squirrels be maintained on an interim basis in consideration of the ongoing work by a national expert group to develop and promote a pest management strategy for the control of Richardson’s ground squirrel; the lack of practical alternatives at this time; and the additional mitigative measures proposed in the Proposed Acceptability for Continuing Registration document. This use of strychnine raises concerns from an environmental perspective because of poisoning of non-target organisms. It is proposed that the use of strychnine to control ground squirrels be reviewed in three years in light of progress made toward the implementation of the Richardson’s ground squirrel pest management strategy.
Third, Health Canada is proposing regulatory action that would require that poisoned baits be placed so that they are less accessible to non-target organisms; that post-treatment monitoring is carried out to ensure poisoned carcasses are removed from the site on a regular basis; and that disposal instructions are provided for both unused bait and poisoned carcasses. The details of these proposals are provided in the Proposed Acceptability for Continuing Registration document.
Finally, the burrowing owl and the swift fox, known to frequent habitat occupied by ground squirrels, have been identified as species at risk under the federal Species at Risk Act. Health Canada is proposing regulatory action that would prohibit the use of strychnine in areas where these or other species at risk are present. For pigeon control programs, Health Canada is proposing regulatory action that would prohibit using strychnine in areas where peregrine falcons are known to nest or hunt.
Health Canada will accept written
comments on the proposal up to 60 days from the date of publication of the Proposed Acceptability for Continuing Registration document.
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