REGINA — Saskatchewan’s news Plant Health Act is changing the way the agriculture industry and residents in general deal with certain plant species, animals and insects.
The act, which replaces The Pest Control Act, effective June 26, introduces several changes, including the deregulating of certain pests such as clubroot and endemic species to the province like Richardson's ground squirrel, grasshoppers and the warble fly. Additionally, potato wart has been added as a newly declared pest.
Bacterial ring rot and late blight diseases in potato, the brown or Norway rat and feral pigs will continue to be regulated pests. This act recognizes the work done by producers and rural municipalities to control pest populations in a sustainable, scientific way.
In addition to this new act, The Pest Declaration Regulations, The Bacterial Ring Rot Control Regulations and The Late Blight Control Regulations have been consolidated into one set of regulations, The Plant Health Regulations, to simplify and streamline the regulatory framework.
The ministry remains fully committed to supporting surveillance, research and extension initiatives in the province to mitigate the impact from pests, regardless of whether a declared or nuisance pest.
Producers with questions about the new regulations can contact Raul Avila, Provincial Pest Regulatory Specialist by phone at 306-787-0428 or by email at [email protected].
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