Emergency Strychnine
Starting July 10, producers with confirmed stewardship training can purchase 2% Liquid Strychnine Concentrate through the County of St. Paul’s Agricultural Services department at the Public Works shop. The cost is $20+GST per bottle (cash, cheque, or credit card). Sales are by appointment only and can be made by emailing [email protected] or calling 780-645-3006 (press 4).
Review the information below to ensure eligibility and responsible usage.
Phase 1: Training & Eligibility
Producers must complete the 2026 Strychnine Stewardship Training and provide a valid training certificate before purchase. The training certificate will expire on September 1, 2026. New mandatory training will be expected for the 2027 application season.
- Only eligible agricultural producers may purchase strychnine.
- Purchasers must be the landowner, renter, or leaseholder identified on the paperwork.
- Proxy purchases are not permitted.
- Producers must purchase through the municipality identified on their training certificate.
Complete the Stewardship Training here.
Phase 2: Purchase
In addition to a valid training certificate, producers must also provide their 2026 Purchase Information and Treatment Plan before a purchase can be made. The form can be downloaded and completed before coming in for your purchase appointment. Forms will also be available at the office, but completing them in advance will reduce wait times.
Please note, due to the limited supply, purchases will be limited to 6 bottles per customer and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional inventory is expected later in July, at which time the maximum amount that may be sold to a purchaser at one time is 2 cases (48 bottles).
To complete the Purchase Information and Treatment Plan, producers will need:
- Legal land descriptions where the product will be used
- Estimated acres to be treated
- Crop, forage, or pasture information
- Information on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods used during the past 24 months
Phase 3: Application
The approved application window is July 15 to September 1, 2026. 2026 sales will also end on September 1 and reopen prior to the Spring 2027 application period (March 1-June 15). Spring is generally considered to be the most effective application period.
Producers are required to place warning signs at the treatment sites noted in their treatment plan. Warning Signs are available through the County, as well as weatherproof sign holders, while supplies last.
Phase 4: After Application
Producers must complete and submit the 2026 Product Evaluation form before the next sale of strychnine or by October 15, 2026.
Monitoring and reporting requirements apply and are outlined in the Product Evaluation form and monitoring resources:
- Purchasers may be subject to audits or inspections by provincial or federal officials, or their representatives.
- Producers are responsible for ensuring product use complies with all label directions, stewardship requirements, and program conditions.
- Maintaining accurate records will help support compliance with program requirements.
Product Evaluation Forms for previous purchases must be submitted before additional product can be purchased.
Empty Bottle Collection and Disposal
- Do not place empty strychnine bottles in household garbage, farm garbage bins, burn barrels, or regular recycling programs.
- Empty strychnine bottles are not currently accepted through regular agricultural container return programs.
- A long-term collection and disposal solution is being developed by Cleanfarms and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.
- Additional guidance will be provided when available.
- Producers should retain empty bottles until disposal instructions are provided.
- Empty bottles should be stored safely and securely to prevent leaks, spills, or unauthorized access. Even when empty, containers may contain product residue and should be treated as potentially hazardous.
- Empty bottles should be kept out of reach of children, pets, livestock, and wildlife.
What else do I need to know?
Strychnine is being sold under an Emergency Use Registration that expires November 1, 2027. The final approved application period under the current registration is July 15 to September 1, 2027. Unless a new registration is approved, strychnine cannot be legally applied after September 1, 2027.
The County of St. Paul will not accept returns of unused product. Disposal of unused product may be costly and may require specialized hazardous waste disposal. Producers are encouraged to purchase only the amount of product they reasonably expect to use and avoid stockpiling. Accurate demand information helps the County secure future supply while minimizing excess product remaining after the registration expires.
Why Compliance Matters
The current Emergency Use Registration expires November 1, 2027. While there is no guarantee that access to strychnine will continue beyond the current registration period, responsible use of the product is important. Following training requirements, label directions, monitoring protocols, reporting requirements, and species at risk protections helps demonstrate that the product can be used safely and responsibly. The information collected through the stewardship program will help regulators evaluate the program and may help inform future discussions regarding access to strychnine.