Liberal Government’s Neonics Ban Proves They’re Out of Touch with Rural Ontario

QUEEN’S PARK – Ontario’s neonicotinoid ban shows how out of touch the Liberal Government is with the needs of rural Ontario.

Today during Question Period Leader of the Official Opposition Patrick Brown and PC Environment and Cap-and-Trade Critic Lisa Thompson stood up for rural Ontario and asked the Wynne Liberals why they are turning their back on Ontario’s farmers.

“We know this Liberal government can’t get anything right with the neonics ban. The Liberals are telling farmers they can no longer use this pesticide,” said Leader Patrick Brown. “Yet in the next breath they’re telling farmers that they must protect their crops from the corn flea beetle.”

Neonicotinoids are the only approved treatment in Canada for the corn flea beetle.

Yesterday, five busloads of farmers drove to Toronto to attend a hearing at the Ontario Court of Appeal regarding the Grain Farmers of Ontario’s lawsuit against the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.  The lawsuit is aimed at halting provincial regulations on neonicotinoid seed treatments.

“The facts speak for themselves. The Liberals have botched the rollout of their neonics plan so badly they are now facing lawsuits from farmers,” added MPP Thompson. “How many farmers will face financial hardship if changes aren’t made to the ban? Sadly, the Liberals refuse to listen.”

A joint report released by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of California found that neonicotinoids is not a threat to honeybees. The Ontario PC Caucus has long advocated for a science-based approach to neonicotinoids.  Instead, the Government have taken a heavy-handed approach to the agricultural sector by implementing this regulation reducing neonic use by 80 per cent without conclusive evidence that it may decrease bee mortality rates.

“Does the Premier agree with the principle that agricultural policy should be based on science, not emotion?” asked Leader Patrick Brown. “And can the Premier name one single grain farmer in the province of Ontario who supports their reckless policy?”