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Senators, part of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, are asking the federal government to finish their re-evaluation of neonicotinoids pesticides. Neonics are widely suspected of contributing to bee losses around the world.
READ MORE: Banning neonics will have smaller impact on agriculture than industry estimates: leaked draft report
The Committee tabled its latest report entitled: The Importance of Bee Health to Sustainable Food Production in Canada. The 8 month study made 9 recommendations; among them was that the “The Pest Management Regulatory Agency conclude, without delay, its re-evaluation of neonicotinoid insecticides based on evidence and sound scientific principles with an objective of protecting the health of bees.”
READ MORE: Proposed ban of suspected bee killer sets off massive fight in rural Ontario
At a press conference Wednesday, Committee Chair Senator Percy Mockler said “we are asking Health Canada, we are asking the Department of Finance and Agriculture Canada to ensure that the recommendations will be implemented and hopefully we will have the response of the government on the recommendations we have tabled today in the Senate of Canada.”
16×9 obtained a leaked copy of a draft study part of the PMRA’s re-evaluation of neonic pesticides. The federal government has been accused in the past of foot dragging when it came to tighter regulations, a stance which has effectively favoured the pesticide industry.
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