The first public consultation meeting regarding impending neonicotinoid seed treatment regulations got underway yesterday in London, Ontario. Real Agriculture’s Ontario field editor Bernard Tobin was there to cover the event.
The meeting format may have surprised some, as opportunities for individuals to speak were kept to a minimum. Instead, government officials from both the agriculture and environment departments presented the issue at hand and the proposed changes to access regarding neonicotinoids, as outlined in the province’s discussion paper (read that here). Following that, each table of attendees was given a topic to discuss and tasked with naming one person to present a summary of said discussion after a set time period.
More than a few contentious issues arose from the meetings, like what integrated pest management training will be required and who will police it (more of that in the interview below) however Tobin adds that, overall, discussions were respectful and comments fell along expected party lines. Of note, Tobin says that farmers who attended the meeting, though they had been asked not to by Grain Farmers of Ontario, asked some tough questions of their government.
Looking for more information on meeting times and locations? Click here.
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