CORNWALL, Ontario – Is the sting of a controversial insecticide responsible for bee population decline?
According to new evidence published by Health Canada‘s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), the neonicotinoid pesticide, Imidacloprid, should not be considered a threat to pollinators after all.
“With these new findings, the Liberal government cannot possibly justify their position on (banning) neonicotinoids,” said Progressive Conservative MPP Jim McDonell. “Doing so will only continue to negatively impact one of the largest industries in this province.”
The PMRA authors also noted: “These studies have generally been conducted under laboratory situations or in the field with bees exposed to Imidacloprid at doses higher than may normally be encountered in the environment.”
Meanwhile, the Ontario government’s regulations – aimed at reducing the use of neonicotinoid insecticides by 80 per cent within two years – goes into effect on July 1.
The Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry MPP has stressed that a sustainable approach to agriculture policy must be formulated on scientific data.
“Unfortunately, the Liberal government chose to plough ahead without having all the facts,” said McDonell. “Now they have an opportunity to respect what has been said all along – and hit the pause button on their neonicotinoid ban.”
Farmers’ POV of Ontario neonic rules
On Wednesday (Jan. 13), McDonell spoke with local residents at the Grain Farmers of Ontario’s annual general meeting in Avonmore.
“I had the opportunity to appreciate grain farmers’ commitment to sustainability and good environmental stewardship,” said McDonell. “Grain farmers and other users of pesticides have implemented strong measures to prevent exposure that gave tangible results.”
