Should a Pesticide to Control Crows and Ravens Be Approved for Sage-Grouse Recovery?
Official title: Consultation on 3-Chloro-4-methylaniline hydrochloride and DRC-1339, Proposed Registration Decision PRD2025-12
Health Canada wants to approve a new pesticide called DRC-1339 to kill crows and ravens. Why? These birds prey on the eggs and chicks of the greater sage-grouse, an endangered species in Canada. The pesticide would only be used by wildlife officials as part of recovery efforts.
Why This Matters
This is a niche wildlife management decision. It mainly affects conservationists and people living near sage-grouse habitat in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. If you care about endangered species recovery or have concerns about lethal pest control methods, you might want to weigh in.
What Could Change
If approved, wildlife officials could legally use DRC-1339 to poison corvids (crows, ravens, magpies) in areas where sage-grouse are being protected. This would be a restricted-use pesticide, not available to the general public.
Key Issues
- Is DRC-1339 safe and effective for controlling corvids that threaten sage-grouse?
- Are the environmental and health risks acceptable given the conservation benefits?