Ontario’s Rules to Reduce Neonicotinoid Pesticide: Protect Bees: Submit Comments Until May 7, 2015

Pesticide spraying: Image extracted from the CTV News video below.
Pesticide spraying: Image extracted from the CTV News video below.

This is an update to these previous blogs:

The following video presents 2013 09 26 – TV News Story – Canadian Bee Crisis:

“Environmental groups want federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose to reconsider Health Canada’s decision to re-approve a pesticide — severely restricted in Europe and linked to massive bee die-offs in Canada — for use on fruits, potatoes and turf. Lawyers from the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Ecojustice have filed a Notice of Objection with the health minister on behalf of Sierra Club Canada, Wilderness Committee, David Suzuki Foundation and Équiterre. The objection concerns Health Canada’s recent decision to renew the registration for clothianidin, a neonicotinoid pesticide toxic to bees, which the groups say should be banned in Canada.

Over the past two years, massive bee die-offs reported in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec were linked to the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. In addition, a growing body of scientific literature documents the adverse effects of neonicotinoids on the foraging and homing behaviour of bees, as well as metabolic, immune and reproductive functions.”

Ontario is taking the strongest action in North America to protect bees, birds, butterflies, and other pollinators by proposing new rules that would reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds by 80 per cent by 2017.

  • Some neonicotinoid insecticides are toxic to bees and other beneficial insects.
  • In the winter of 2013-2014, bee deaths in Ontario reached 58 per cent. The generally accepted level by those who care for and breed bees is 15 per cent.
  • Bees and other pollinators are responsible for pollinating roughly 13 per cent of agricultural crops in Ontario (crops worth about $897 million), and support $26 million annually in honey production.
  • Ontario’s agri-food sector employs 760,000 individuals and contributes $34 billion each year to the province’s economy.

“A comprehensive Pollinator Health Action Plan would improve the state of pollinator health in Ontario and strengthen their populations. The plan we are proposing to develop will promote a sustainable food supply, healthy ecosystems and a strong economy.”

The proposed regulation sets rules for the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds.

  • The amendments to Ontario Regulation 63/09, under the Pesticides Act would establish:
    • a new class of pesticides consisting of corn and soybean seeds treated with the neonicotinoids, imidacloprid, clothianidin or thiamethoxam,
    • rules for the sale and use of treated seeds,
    • timing and implementation of the regulatory requirements.

The draft regulation is available for public comment on the environmental registry until May 7, 2015. You can submit your comments in the following three ways:

All comments received prior to May 07, 2015 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in the notice and reference EBR Registry number 012-3733.

  • 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.

If approved, new rules on the sale and use of corn and soybean seeds treated with the neonicotinoids, imidacloprid, clothianidin or thiamethoxam will be in place by July 1, 2015, in time for the 2016 agricultural planting season.

Please click on the following links for more info:

NEWS RELEASE

Reducing Neonicotinoid Pesticide Use by 80 Per Cent

Ontario Setting New Rules to Protect Bees, Other Pollinators

March 23, 2015 3:00 P.M.
Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change

Ontario is taking the strongest action in North America to protect bees, birds, butterflies, and other pollinators by proposing new rules that would reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds by 80 per cent by 2017.

Some neonicotinoid insecticides are toxic to bees and other beneficial insects.The government is taking a precautionary approach to limit the use of neonicotinoid treated seeds. The proposed regulation sets rules for the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds.

The draft regulation is available for public comment on the environmental registry until May 7, 2015. If approved, new rules would take effect July 1, 2015.

Following provincewide consultations in winter 2014-15, the proposed regulation will help protect pollinators and ensure a productive agricultural sector. It is also an important step in developing a pollinator health action plan that will examine key stressors that can affect pollinator health, including:

  • Pesticides
  • Loss of habitat and nutrition
  • Climate change and weather
  • Disease, pests and genetics

Ensuring a strong and healthy agricultural sector is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.

Quick Facts

  • In the winter of 2013-2014, bee deaths in Ontario reached 58 per cent. The generally accepted level by those who care for and breed bees is 15 per cent.
  • Bees and other pollinators are responsible for pollinating roughly 13 per cent of agricultural crops in Ontario (crops worth about $897 million), and support $26 million annually in honey production.
  • Ontario’s agri-food sector employs 760,000 individuals and contributes $34 billion each year to the province’s economy.

Additional Resources

Quotes

“We heard overwhelmingly that the people of Ontario support immediate action to protect our food sources and the environment from the effects of neurotoxic neonicotinoids. The proposed regulation will contribute to reducing a major stressor on pollinators and other vulnerable species.”
Glen R. Murray
Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

“After extensive consultation, our government is moving forward with the next phase of our comprehensive pollinator health strategy, based on the advice of agricultural leaders. The proposed regulation released today is a balanced and practical way forward that would ensure farmers have access to treated seeds when needed.”
Jeff Leal
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Public Information
Communications Branch
picemail@ontario.ca
1-800-565-4923

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