Huron-Bruce MPP calls on Liberals to rethink ban on neonicotinoids

At Grey Bruce Farmers' Week, Tuesday, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson pledged to keep pushing Ontario minister for the environment and climate change Glen Murray, to rethink the provincial government's ban on neonicotinoids in light of new evidence published last week by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

 

The PMRA authors 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."

 

"With these new findings, the Liberal government cannot possibly justify its position on neonicotinoids," said Thompson. "Doing so, will only continue to negatively impact one of the largest industries in this province."

 

A related value assessment of neonicotinoid use on corn and soybeans found a $74-million to $83-million benefit to the corn industry and a benefit of $37-million to $51-million for soybeans. Although these are national values, much of it is centred in Ontario. 

 

Recent findings by the United States Environmental Protection Agency on the safety of Imidacloprid, have also aligned with the study conducted by Health Canada.

 

"Any policy must be formulated on scientific data," said Thompson. "Unfortunately, the Liberals chose to plow ahead without having all the facts, but now they have an opportunity to respect what has been said all along and hit the pause button on their neonicotinoid ban".

 

Comments on the first phase of the study will be accepted for 60 days after Jan. 18, and the PMRA intends to publish a final document on the evaluation of Imidacloprid, targeted for a December, 2016, release date.