Government Takes Important Step Towards Protecting Ontario’s Pollinators

Author: Marc LaBerge

Posted: November 26, 2014

Categories: GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Ontario / Policy News

Yesterday, the provincial government released a discussion paper outlining a proposed approach to reduce the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Ontario.  This is an important step towards improving the health of the province’s wild and managed pollinators (e.g. honey bees, wild bees, butterflies).

The announcement kicks-off a 60-day consultation to seek input on proposed aspirational targets for neonicotinoid use and over-winter honey bee mortality, a draft framework to regulate the purchase, sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds, and a pollinator health action plan. Consultation sessions will be held in December 2014 and January 2015, and people may also provide input on-line through the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry.

Healthy pollinator populations are critical for a healthy, sustainable food system and the broader environment.  Bees and other pollinators are responsible for pollinating roughly 13 per cent of Ontario’s agricultural crops (with an economic value of almost $900 million per year), and roughly 75 per cent of flowering plants rely on pollinators for survival.  However, pollinating insects are facing a variety of pressures, with the discussion paper noting that, in 2013-14, the percentage of bees dying over the winter in Ontario reached a record high of 58 per cent (well over the 15 per cent that beekeepers suggest is normal and sustainable).

Sustain Ontario members are pleased that the government is taking action on this important issue. A number of our members have done significant work in the field of native pollinator health, such as Farms at Work, Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) and Ontario Nature. While opinions differ on what needs to be done, there is agreement that evidence-based action must be taken to ensure that Ontario’s pollinators are healthy while growing the agricultural sector.

In a recent survey of Sustain Ontario members, a significant majority of respondents indicated that they would like to see more encouragement of integrated pest management through extension and research support (77%), increased pollinator and neonicotinoid education for farmers and the public (72%), and a moratorium on neonicotinoids until further field research is done in Ontario to prove/disprove they are a major cause of pollinator deaths (66%). Check out our blog for more details on various members’ perspectives on this issue.  Additionally, they felt Sustain Ontario had an important role to play in convening diverse stakeholders as well as aggregating research and best practices for policy makers and educational resources for the public.

The discussion paper states that a multi-pronged approach is needed to address the four main stressors that are negatively affecting pollinator health: habitat and nutrition; disease, pests and genetics; climate change and weather; and pesticide exposure.  While pollinators are exposed to a variety of agricultural pesticides, the government is focusing its attention on the use of neonicotinoids, a family of synthetic pesticides that are chemically related to nicotine, given that some have been found to be toxic to bees and can remain in the environment long after they are used.  It notes that almost 100 per cent of corn seeds and 60 per cent of soybean seeds that are used in Ontario have been treated with neonicotinoids.

Aspirational Targets

The province has proposed two ambitious, aspirational targets to measure its success in improving pollinator health:

• to reduce the over-winter honey bee mortality rate to 15 per cent by 2020; and
• to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid corn and soybean seed by 80 per cent by 2017.

While the paper acknowledges that further research is needed to understand the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides on pollinators in the field under regular circumstances, it notes there is enough scientific evidence in Europe, the United States and Canada to take action as a precaution until the links between neonicotinoids and pollinator health are fully understood.

Proposed Regulatory Framework

The government is proposing that a new regulatory framework be put in place by July 1, 2015, in time for the 2016 growing season.  It would govern the use, purchase and sale of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds in Ontario, specifically those treated with imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin.  Highlights of the proposal are as follows.

• Amend the Pesticide Act to clarify that seeds treated with pesticides are considered pesticides and may be regulated under the Act.
• The sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds would be restricted to “qualified farmers” and licensed agricultural exterminators who have:
  • completed Integrated Pest Management training for corn and soybeans;
  • documented pest management activities taken to reduce threats;
  • completed a credible risk assessment that shows the need to use neonicotinoid-treated seeds; and
  • obtained verification of the assessment by a third party.
• Farmers would be required to follow specific practices to reduce pollinators’ exposure to neonicotinoids, such as using appropriate technology to re-direct dust generated during planting, cleaning planting equipment after use of treated seeds, and cleaning up any exposed seeds or dust after planting.
• Vendors would need to be licenced and could only sell to “qualified farmers” or licensed agricultural exterminators with documentation of need. They would also have to report sales of neonicotinoid-treated seeds on an annual basis, and ensure that untreated seeds are also available for sale.

Pollinator Health Action Plan

In addition to the new regulatory framework, the government will be developing a Pollinator Health Action Plan over the next 12 months and is seeking input on its objectives, outcomes and potential actions.

• Proposed Objective: To improve the state of health of pollinators in Ontario, and to strengthen populations in order to promote a sustainable food supply, healthy ecosystems and a strong economy.
• Proposed Outcomes:
  • increased understanding of the vital role that pollinators play;
  • pollinators are able to meet current and possibly increasing demand for pollination services, and are more resilient to climate change;
  • improved honey bee management and agricultural management practices, including integrated pest and disease management activities;
  • increased pollinator habitat;
  • reduced pesticide use and improved pesticide management;
  • increased monitoring of pollinators and environmental conditions; and
  • increased focus on taking precautionary action now until more is known about the Ontario context.

Next Steps

• In-person consultations to seek input on the regulatory proposal and the Pollinator Health Action Plan will be held in December 2014 and January 2014. You can submit feedback through the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry until January 25, 2015.
• A Pollinator Health Forum will be held in Spring 2015.
• Neonicotinoid regulations will be developed in Winter/Spring 2015, with the intention of being in effect on July 1, 2015.
• Public consultations on the Pollinator Health Action Plan will be held in Summer/Fall 2015, with implementation beyond 2015.

To Learn More About the Debate

A November 25th article by Eric Atkins at The Globe and Mail, Ontario to restrict use of pesticide linked to bee deaths, provides an overview of stakeholder reaction to the discussion paper, as well as links that provide historical context to the issue and recent research findings.

For more information about the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food stakeholder work on pollinator health, read the Ontario Bee Health Working Group Report, released in March 2014.