AgroPages-Canada Ont. farm group sues govt over new neonic rules-Agricultural news

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Grain Farmers of Ontario is taking the provincial government to court over its controversial regulations for neonicotinoid seed treatments.

Eric Gillespie, who is representing GFO in the legal action, said the organization has filed an application with the Ontario Superior Court asking for an interpretation of the regulations.

This spring, the Ontario government introduced new rules to reduce the use of insecticide seed treatments on corn and soybean seed by 80 percent by 2017 to protect bees, along with the province’s soil, water and broader ecology. The regulations take effect July 1.

GFO and other farm organizations have pushed back against the neonic reduction plan, saying the regulations are not based in science, will cut into crop yields and will do nothing to protect bees.

As part of the regulations, Ontario farmers can use neonic treated seed on only 50 percent of their land in 2016. Farmers who want to use more treated seed will have to submit pest assessment reports to the province to justify the use of neonics.

Gillespie said that requirement is impractical because farmers don’t have enough time to complete the necessary assessments.

GFO is asking the Ontario Superior Court to delay the implementation of the regulations until May 1, 2016, or such time that the requirements can reasonably be met.

Gillespie said GFO hopes to be in court later in July.