Canada Ontario released neonic rules

The government of Ontario released regulations to govern the use of corn and soybean seeds coated with neonicotinoids, the most popular class of insecticides in the world. Farmers who contravene or fail to comply with new seed treatment regulations could face “very significant fines” up to $20,000.

 

Neonicotinoids, commonly known as neonics, are applied to almost all of the corn and canola seeds in North America and a portion of soybean seeds. The insecticides have been blamed for bee colony and pollinator losses in the United States, Canada and Europe.

 

The province said the regulations would protect pollinators because the new rules will hopefully cut the use of neonics on corn and soybeans by 80 percent by 2017.

 

The new regulations will officially take effect July 1 and be phased in over the next two years. In 2016, farmers can use neonic treated seed on 50 percent of their acres. In 2017, Ontario farmers will have to prove that they have pests in their fields before they can purchase and use a neonic. Growers must complete a pest assessment report and submit it to a seed dealer. 

 

The restrictions on neonics are part of a broader policy for bees. The province of Ontario is developing a Pollinator Health Action Plan. Grain Farmers of Ontario and other farm groups strongly oppose the regulations. They have described the rules as “unworkable” and say the policy has been driven by “politics and special interest groups.”