Grain Farmers of Ontario Chair Mark Brock.  (Photo by Victor De Jong)Grain Farmers of Ontario Chair Mark Brock. (Photo by Victor De Jong)
Sarnia

Brock: 80% Neonic Acreage Reduction 'Strong Language'

Grain Farmers of Ontario Chair Mark Brock says the province is using pretty strong language in it's push for an 80 per cent reduction in neonic treated acreage.

He points out the regulations will allow the use of the treatments where farmers are able to prove there's a need.

Brock thinks the actual acreage will come down to how many producers are going to be willing to go through all the hoops and hurdles required to prove they needed the treatments.

Grain Farmers of Ontario representatives met with provincial Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal yesterday.

Brock says the minister made it clear farmers will have the ability to use the seed treatments on their farms, if they can prove they need them.

According to Brock, the minister also committed to making sure GFO understands the regulations so they can pass that understanding along to their members.

There are apparently some discussions coming up in the next few weeks about pollinator habitat.

Brock says GFO will be bringing some of the points in the Pollinator Health Blueprint into those discussions for the government's consideration.

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Brock says they decided to be positive and move on.

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Brock thinks they'll be able to bring some of the points in the Pollinator Health Blueprint into upcoming habitat discussions.

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Brock points out if growers can prove they need the treatments, the regulations will allow them to be used.

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