Thompson calls for end to Canadian ban on neonicotinoids

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency published conflicting evidence to original research upon which the ban is based.
Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency published conflicting evidence to original research upon which the ban is based. | File photo

Huron-Bruce's Member of Provincial Parliament Lisa Thompson was at the Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week last week to encourage Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Glen Murray to rethink the ban of neonicotinoids.

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) published conflicting evidence to original research upon which the ban is based. The PMRA authors said the studies have generally been conducted in laboratory settings or with bees in the field.

"With these new findings, the Liberal government cannot possibly justify their position on neonicotinoids," Thompson said. "Doing so will only continue to negatively impact one of the largest industries in this province."

The results of an assessment of neonicotinoids on corn and soybeans found there was a $74 million to $83 million benefit to the corn industry and a $37 million to $51 million benefit for soybeans.

"Any policy must be formulated on scientific data," Thompson said. "Unfortunately, the Liberal government chose to plow ahead without having all the facts, but now they have an opportunity to respect what has been said all along and hit the pause button on their neonicotinoid ban."

A final document for the evaluation of Imidacloprid is expected to be released in December.