Add Your Voice to Protect Pollinators from Neonicotinoid Poisoning

On the heels of a damning report on the role of systemic pesticides in bee die-offs, Ontario’s Agriculture Minister proposes restrictions on the use of #neonicotinoids.

Please see the Organic Council of Ontario press release, and go to Kitchener’s CTV website to see a short comment from @jodikoberinski on reactions to the proposed restrictions.

ACTION REQUIRED!

We encourage congratulatory remarks thanking the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs for listening and taking this huge step in support of Pollinator health.

See our sample letter below.

Send your letter using this form

You could also invite the Minister to:
1. Ensure the restrictions include an inspection, audit and application process similar to the one organic farmers use to demonstrate non-use

2. Revisit the amazing work done in Ontario pre 1990 on Integrated Pest Management… we have great new data showing the economy, efficacy, and ecology behind low input approaches to agriculture. Giving “teeth” to an IPM program, again similar to organic certification, is the right policy direction for Ontario.

3. Organic farming offers many benefits, including a complete ban on the use of neonicotinoids. Including OCO in the Pollinator Health Working Group and supporting our sector to share best practices with our colleagues are essential to overcoming the “but what if not” arguments.

The organic sector has much to offer, and our engagement, development, and representational work needs to be supported by both the province and the commodity groups whose members benefit from our movement and markets.

Send your letter using this form

Please send us a cc of your letter!

SAMPLE LETTER

My name is ________________ and I am a (farmer, eater, parent…) who, like you, is concerned for the future of food production in Ontario. I want to congratulate you on allowing the evidence to inform your announcement of action on neonicotinoid over-use.

There are many interests to balance, and your commitment to science-based policy on this issue is most welcome. While working in collaboration with industry, I would like to encourage you to ensure the restrictions include an inspection, audit and application process similar to the one organic farmers use to demonstrate non-use of persistent, toxic pesticides.

I also encourage you to revisit the amazing work done in Ontario pre 1990 on Integrated Pest Management… we have great new data showing the economy, efficacy, and ecology behind low input approaches to agriculture. Giving “teeth” to an IPM program, again similar to organic certification, is the right policy direction for Ontario.

Organic farming offers many benefits, including a complete ban on the use of neonicotinoids. Including the Organic Council of Ontario in the Pollinator Health Working Group and supporting the organic sector to share best practices with other farmers are two essential steps to moving away from over-reliance on these inputs.

Ontarians care about this issue- we know that one third of our food depends on healthy pollinators! Let us continue to show leadership on this issue, the evidence demands it.

Sincerely-

(Signature, include your town and postal code)

Send your letter using this form

Please send us a cc of your letter!