TORONTO – In an effort to protect bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators, the Ontario government is seeking to reduce a specific class of pesticides by 80 per cent by 2017.
On Monday, the provincial government announced its Pollinator Health Action Plan. The first step would be to change pesticide regulation, in particular reducing the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid pesticides.
READ MORE: Doctors, nurses call for ban on pesticides that many say are killing bees
There has been a recent outcry from beekeepers in Ontario and Quebec following significant losses of beehives across the provinces, which they believe is due to the widespread use of NNIs, or neonics, on corn and soybean seeds. Neonics are used on almost 100 per cent of corn seeds in Canada.
The draft regulatory amendments proposal has been posted for a 45-day review beginning on Monday, with the final day for comment on May 7, 2015.
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