NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
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Regulations to Reduce Neonicotinoids Effective July 1 2015
Starting July 1, 2015, Ontario will be the first jurisdiction in North America to protect bees and other pollinators through new rules to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds by 80 percent by 2017.
To support this goal, new requirements will be put in place for the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed that will help ensure treated seed is only used when there is evidence of a pest problem.
Reducing neonicotinoid use in these two crops presents the greatest potential to reduce pollinator exposure to the neurotoxic insecticide.
Pollinators, including bees, birds and butterflies, play a crucial role in agriculture and our ecosystem.
Over the last eight years, Ontario beekeepers have experienced unusually high over-winter losses of honey bees, reaching 58 percent following the winter of 2013-14.
The level of over-winter losses considered to be acceptable and sustainable by most apiculturists is 15 percent.
The new rules are one part of Ontario's strategy to improve pollinator health.
The province will also develop a pollinator health action plan in consultation with the public and experts to address other stressors that affect pollinators.
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, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario's history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.
"Much of the food we eat and the vibrancy of Ontario's natural habitats depend on a healthy pollinator population. Our government is taking necessary action to protect these vitally important species and the ecosystems they support from the effects of neurotoxic neonicotinoids," said Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
QUICK FACTS
- There are more than 400 pollinator species in Ontario and bees are the most common pollinator.
- 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.
- The province conducted a comprehensive, two-stage consultation process with the public and stakeholders to develop its neonicotinoid regulatory requirements.
- Neonicotinoid-treated seeds are widely used in agriculture. Close to 100 per cent of corn seed and 60 per cent of soybean seed sold in the province is treated with neonicotinoid insecticides.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
- Learn more about the new regulatory requirements to protect pollinators
- Learn about the importance of protecting bees and other pollinators
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