Liberals ‘cherry pick’ science on neonics, ignore Health Canada findings

Health Canada study determines seed treatment with neonic poses no risks to bees

QUEEN’S PARK –The Liberal Environment Minister is cherry picking science to support the government’s neonic ban while ignoring the findings released by environmental experts and regulators in both Canada and the United States, which show the use of a certain pesticide for seed treatment poses no potential risks to bees, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson said today.

“Will the Minister – who is not a scientist – please explain why he thinks he knows better than a team of scientific experts at Health Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?” Thompson asked Mr. Murray in question period.

The Environment Minister responded, saying, “You don’t cherry pick science,” even though the Liberal government will not acknowledge the findings of a joint report released earlier this year by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California. The report found that the neonicotinoid, imidacloprid, poses no potential risks to bees.

“When presented with scientific evidence released by Health Canada that challenges the foundation of this Minister’s neonic ban, he has chosen to ignore the facts,” Thompson said. “The Minister’s refusal to review this evidence is frankly anti-science.”

The Ontario PC Caucus has long advocated for a science-based approach to neonicotinoids. Instead, the government has taken a heavy-handed approach with the agricultural sector by implementing its neonics regulation, which reduces neonic use, including the use of imidacloprid, by 80% despite the findings of Health Canada’s report.

To watch MPP Thompson’s question, click on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/jfqlt9m.