Ontario’s Draft Plan to Improve Pollinator Health & Reduce Pollinator Losses: Send Your Comments before March 7, 2016

The following video presents “Creating Pollinator Habitat in Ontario”

“One of the major issues that ALUS is trying to address is the recent decline of pollinators. Bayham ALUS project coordinator Kyle Mauthe explains how demonstration farm M&R Orchards has planted native wild flowers to create pollinator habitat.”

This is an update to the following blog, Ontario’s Rules to Reduce Neonicotinoid Pesticide: Protect Bees: Submit Comments Until May 7, 2015.

The Government of Ontario aims to protect pollinators by addressing the four main stressors that pollinators face: loss of habitat and nutrition; diseases, pests and genetics; pesticide exposure; climate change and weather.

The Province is proposing a draft Pollinator Health Action Plan, a component of its comprehensive Pollinator Health Strategy, as a plan for government, stakeholders and the public to work in partnership to enhance the state of health of Ontario’s pollinators, both managed and wild, and to strengthen their populations.

Public Consultation:

This proposal has been posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting January 22, 2016.

Please Note: All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record. You will not receive a formal response to your comment, however, relevant comments received as part of the public participation process for this proposal will be considered by the decision maker for this proposal.

Other Public Consultation Opportunities:

In addition to submitting comments via this notice or in writing, you can:

  • Email your comments to pollinatorhealth@ontario.ca and,

Pollinator Health Action Plan survey

“Share your thoughts and recommendations on our draft Pollinator Health Action Plan and help us improve pollinator health in the province. Your feedback will be considered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs when we report back to the public with a final Action Plan in spring/summer of 2016.”

Image grab from video above
Image grab from video above

NEWS RELEASE

Province Seeking Public Input on Improving Pollinator Health

Ontario Taking Action to Reduce Pollinator Losses

January 22, 2016 1:00 P.M.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ontario is seeking public feedback on a draft action plan to improve pollinator health and reduce pollinator losses.

Pollinators, including honey bees, are essential to Ontario’s agricultural sector and contribute approximately $992 million worth of economic activity annually to the economy. The province became the first jurisdiction in North America to protect bees and other pollinators through new rules introduced on July 1, 2015, to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds by 80 per cent by 2017.

Now, Ontario is looking for the public’s feedback on a proposed plan to improve pollinator health that will address:

  • Habitat and nutrition
  • Diseases, pests and genetics
  • Climate change and weather
  • Pesticide exposure.

The proposed plan will be posted on the Environmental Registry until March 7, 2016. Additionally, the public can also provide input on protecting pollinator health by completing a public survey.

Supporting pollinator health is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario is home to more than 400 bee species, which are the most common pollinators.
  • Honey bees and some bumble bees are bred specifically for pollinating plants for food. A foraging honey bee will travel up to 3 km from the colony (and up to 10 km if food is scarce).
  • The province recently introduced a new Bee Mortality Production Insurance plan under the Agricultural Products Insurance Act to promote best management practices and allow farmers to manage their risk more effectively.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“Pollinators are critical to Ontario’s agri-food sector and our society as a whole. While, Ontario farmers are working to protect pollinators through integrated pest management, the proposed Pollinator Health Action Plan will create more discussion and encourage greater cooperation to improve pollinator health in our province. It is important to recognize that we all have a role to play in protecting pollinator populations in this province.”
Jeff Leal
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

“Much of the food we eat and the vibrancy of Ontario’s natural habitats depend on a healthy pollinator population. The decline of bees and other pollinators is a serious problem that requires immediate action to protect Ontario’s ecosystems. The draft Pollinator Health Action Plan builds on action the province has already taken to improve pollinator health through a new pesticide regulation that reduces the use of neonicotinoid insecticide. We encourage urban and agricultural communities, environmental groups, municipalities and interested organizations to provide feedback on Ontario’s action plan.”
Glen R. Murray
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

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