Ottawa, ON – Following months of relentless advocacy from Conservatives and provincial partners, the Liberal government has backed down on its refusal to approve the emergency use of strychnine.
“Congratulations to Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food John Barlow, my former colleague and nominated candidate Damien C. Kurek, and our entire Conservative team for helping farmers safely and effectively save millions of dollars’ worth of their crops,” said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. “They feed Canada and the world, and deserve leaders who will stand up for them.”
Earlier this year, the Liberal government denied the emergency use approval for strychnine, leaving farmers and ranchers across the Prairies exposed to mounting losses from Richardson ground squirrel infestations.
This reversal ensures farmers can effectively manage the pests that have caused widespread damage to crops, pastureland and irrigation infrastructure, affecting production and increasing costs for our food supply chain.
Alternatives to strychnine are often labour-intensive, costly, less effective and, in many cases, pose greater risks to producers and livestock. The result has been mounting economic losses and real threats to the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers across the region.
Alberta Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit, and Agriculture Service Boards provided much of the science and data proving this was an essential and safe tool.
“This reversal is a win for farmers and ranchers,” said Damien C. Kurek, former Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot. “The decision gives our experts in the fields and pastures access to the tools they need for effective pest population management.”
“After months of sustained pressure, we are proud to have brought the government to this decision,” said John Barlow, Conservative Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Sadly, it does little to change the Liberals’ long record of neglecting Canadian agriculture: shutting down critical agricultural research stations, tariffs on fertilizer and burdening farmers with costly red tape and taxes.”
Conservatives will always stand up for our farmers, ranchers and producers–fighting for rural livelihoods and food security for all Canadians.