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The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Raises Concern over Temporary Lifting of Ban on Strychnine for Population Control of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels
April 3, 2026
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is expressing strong disappointment following the decision to temporarily lift the ban on strychnine as a control method for Richardson’s ground squirrels. The toxin is widely recognized as causing significant and avoidable suffering to animals.
Veterinarians, who are bound by a professional and ethical duty to protect animal welfare, warn that the reauthorization of this product places both target and non-target species at risk of inhumane outcomes. The product has previously been banned in Canada as in many other countries due to evidence linking its use to prolonged distress, pain, and significantly compromised welfare prior to death.
We recognize the challenges associated with managing certain animal populations, however the methods used must meet modern standards of humane care. Reintroducing a product with known welfare concerns, even on a temporary basis, represents a troubling step backward.
In addition to concerns for target species, the veterinary community highlights the risk of unintended harm to non-target animals, including wildlife, livestock and companion animals, through accidental exposure.
The veterinary community is calling on the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Health Canada to:
- Ensure the measure remains strictly temporary, with no extension beyond the stated end- date
- Publicly commit to avoiding repeated renewals that could make the authorization effectively permanent
- Accelerate the development and approval of more humane alternatives
- Provide transparent, publicly accessible data on the impacts of the product on both target and non-target species
- Include regulatory language that clearly limits use to Richardson’s ground squirrels only
- Engage veterinary and animal welfare experts in ongoing policy decisions
Transparency and accountability are essential and data on animal impacts must be openly shared so that decisions can be guided by evidence and public trust can be maintained.
The veterinary community remains committed to working collaboratively with regulators, industry, and other stakeholders to advance humane, science-based approaches to animal management that minimize suffering while achieving necessary outcomes.