Happy Canada Day to Ontario Pollinators!
Posted: June 30, 2015
Categories: GoodFoodBites / News from Sustain Ontario / Ontario Food Policy / Policy News
This Canada Day, July 1st, Ontario is taking leadership in the protection of pollinators. Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America to take a comprehensive approach to pollinator health–one that includes the restriction of seeds treated with neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides. Neonics are a class of systemic insecticide that has been named as a major contributor to the loss of bee colonies internationally.
After lengthy consultations with stakeholders and farmers from across the province, and over 25,000 submissions to the Environmental Bill of Rights on this issue, the Ontario government is moving forward with a plan to reduce the use of Neonic-coated corn and soybean seeds by 80% by the year 2017. Sustain Ontario members and staff have been engaged in consultations and have been encouraging this step forward for over two years now.
Sustain Ontario’s Carolyn Young spoke on behalf of the alliance at a press conference at Queen’s Park on May 28th before the regulations were announced: “Without pollinators or farmers, there is no local food. That’s why we believe at Sustain Ontario that the proposed Pollinator Strategy is a sensible one that takes both the livelihoods of farmers and pollinators into consideration.” You can read her comments here.
The new regulations have been implemented through an amendment to the Ontario Pesticides Act, creating a new class (Class-12) of regulated insecticide for Neonic-treated seeds. The regulation requires all farmers planting soy and corn seed to use at least 50% untreated seeds in the 2016 planting season unless they receive an exemption. Exemptions may be granted to farmers who have attended an Integrated Pest Management training and who have significant pest issues as demonstrated through pest assessment report approved by an independent professional pest advisor. The government will also track the sale of neonic-treated seed by requiring all vendors to be licenced and to report on sales on an annual basis.
Sustain Ontario farmer members know from experience that it’s possible to grow food in a way that builds healthy soil, contributes to biodiversity, helps to mitigate the effects of climate change and makes money. Neonicotinoid treated seeds have been shown to have little to no benefit on yields (less than 0.4% for soy, approx. 4% for corn) and yet 99% of corn seed in Ontario is treated.
Members of Sustain Ontario are celebrating this important step forward in creating a more ecological food system. We encourage all members to celebrate Canada Day with pollinator-friendly farmers. Let’s spread this message across the country!
Additional Reading
Government Press Releases:
Ontario Introducing New Rules to Protect Pollinators (June 9, 2015)
Reducing Neonicotinoid Pesticide Use By 80 Per Cent (Mar 24, 2015)
Environmental Bill of Rights Registry:
Member Comments
National Farmers Union Press Release: Protecting our Pollinators Protects our Farms
Ontario Nature Press Release: Historic day for pollinators in Ontario: New rules protect bees, birds and butterflies from toxic pesticides
Canadian Environmental Law Association: CELA Salutes Another Ontario First in Pesticide Reduction
Previous Sustain Ontario posts
Sustain Ontario’s Comments at Queen’s Park: Statement on Ontario’s Pollinator Strategy
Take Action on Pollinator Health! (January 21, 2015)
Government Takes Important Step Towards Protecting Ontario’s Pollinators (November 26, 2014)
OMAFRA Initiative Supports Monarch Butterfly Pollinator Health (August 27, 2014)