Proposal
Pollinator Health: A Proposal for Enhancing Pollinator Health and Reducing the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Ontario
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg. 63/09
Instrument Type:
Proposal
Bill or Act:
Pesticide Act
Summary of Proposal:
The proposed Ontario Pollinator Health Strategy is a balanced and practical multi-pronged approach, which will strengthen pollinator health in order to promote a sustainable food supply, healthy ecosystems and a strong economy.
In addition, it will reduce the use of neonicotinoid treated seed for the 2015 planting season; a proposal for a regulation governing the use of neonicotinoid treated corn and soybean seed that would be in effect July 1, 2015 and establish a Pollinator Health Action Plan.
The first part of the discussion paper sets out the goals we hope to achieve through a Pollinator Health Action Plan, and the strategies to achieve our key aspirational target of reducing the over-winter honey bee mortality rate to 15 per cent by 2020. Given the complexity of the issue, it is important that actions to improve pollinator health address all stressors.
The second part of the discussion paper focuses on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides (as one component of the over-arching plan). Ontario has set the challenging aspirational target of reducing the number of acres where neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds are planted by 80 percent by the year 2017. Through targeting the use of neonicotinoid-treated seed to where it is truly required, we believe we can achieve this goal while maintaining a strong and competitive agricultural sector.
In person consultation sessions based on the discussion paper will be held in December and January to seek feedback from all key stakeholders - government, industry, researchers, organizations and individuals - to improve the health of pollinators in Ontario.
In addition, it will reduce the use of neonicotinoid treated seed for the 2015 planting season; a proposal for a regulation governing the use of neonicotinoid treated corn and soybean seed that would be in effect July 1, 2015 and establish a Pollinator Health Action Plan.
The first part of the discussion paper sets out the goals we hope to achieve through a Pollinator Health Action Plan, and the strategies to achieve our key aspirational target of reducing the over-winter honey bee mortality rate to 15 per cent by 2020. Given the complexity of the issue, it is important that actions to improve pollinator health address all stressors.
The second part of the discussion paper focuses on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides (as one component of the over-arching plan). Ontario has set the challenging aspirational target of reducing the number of acres where neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds are planted by 80 percent by the year 2017. Through targeting the use of neonicotinoid-treated seed to where it is truly required, we believe we can achieve this goal while maintaining a strong and competitive agricultural sector.
In person consultation sessions based on the discussion paper will be held in December and January to seek feedback from all key stakeholders - government, industry, researchers, organizations and individuals - to improve the health of pollinators in Ontario.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
14-MAFRA012
Posting Date:
November 25, 2014
Comments Due Date:
January 25, 2015