ST. PAUL – Producers will see changes with pest control baits being sold by the County of St. Paul.
During the April 11 regular council meeting, council approved adding the sale of zinc phosphide coated corn and zinc phosphide coated oats, subject to their availability, to its Fee Schedule. Zinc phosphide is a bait used for the control of Richardson’s Ground Squirrel (RGS).
Following the meeting, County of St. Paul CAO Sheila Kitz said the County previously sold Strychnine as a poison to help producers control RGS. “However, the federal government no longer allows this. Therefore, there is a new product out that is available and is supposed to provide effective control,” she explained.
“The County has a limited amount [of zinc phosphide] available at the public works shop,” and it can be purchased through the Agricultural Service Board staff.
The County sells zinc phosphide coated oats for $125 per 20 kg and zinc phosphide coated oats for $165 per 20 kg. The bait is considered a single feed bait and is not transferred to predators, according to information from the County. It is applied in the same manner as Strychnine.
In 2020, Health Canada began cancelling the registration of strychnine. Sales by registrant were prohibited after March 4, 2021, and sales by retailers were prohibited after March 4, 2022. The possession and use of the product was prohibited after March 4, 2023.
According to a March 4, 2020 Health Canada document denoting the re-evaluation decision of the use of strychnine for RGS control, the pesticide poses a risk to other non-target animals.
“Based on the evaluation of currently available scientific information, Health Canada has concluded that the environmental risks associated with the use of strychnine and its associated end-use product to control Richardson’s ground squirrels were not shown to be acceptable when this product is used according to the label directions and required mitigation measures,” reads the 2020 decision.
