I did say "evil". I was expecting someone would propose your code (only it needs to be "strict"->import if strict is not loaded); also $ENV{TESTING} or some such instead of $INC{"strict.pm"}.

Is there some reason you consider that tiny bit of code a big enough deal to try to eliminate?

It wasn't me considering it: http://www.xray.mpe.mpg.de/mailing-lists/perl5-porters/2007-08/msg00055.html (the >>'d text is not Max).