OBA responds to the Ontario Government's Pollinator Health Action Plan: Read it here

OBA’s Response to Pollinator Health: A proposal for enhancing pollinator health and reducing the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Ontario.

INTRODUCTION:

The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association has represented the interests of Ontario beekeepers since 1881. Now representing more than 3,000 beekeepers, we are mindful of the unique threat that the overuse of neonicotinoids poses to our environment, our food security, the health of bees and the viability of our industry. Our response to your proposal reflects these concerns but also recognizes that this policy is a significant and positive step forward.

Even after labeling the continued use of neonicotinoids in agriculture as ‘unsustainable’, Canada’s federal pesticide regulator, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has failed to take any meaningful action to restrict these pesticides. The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA) commends the Wynne government for taking a bold step to protect bees and its beekeeping industry with the proposed Pollinator Health Action Plan. In particular, we are encouraged by the adoption of the precautionary principle and the underlying regulatory structure intended to reduce pollinators’ exposure to pesticides by ending the overuse of neonicotinoid pesticides on Ontario field crops.

Our comments are consolidated primarily under Section B; however, OBA is committed to the broader issues of pollinator health and looks forward to being actively engaged in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives going forward. READ MORE