Farmers are being cut out of Ontario’s agricultural plans by government
GUELPH, ON (April 30, 2015) – Anti-agriculture groups and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change appear to be the only voices that matter when setting Ontario’s agriculture policy.
“This is most important time of year for grain farmers — right now, I’m in the field planting corn like thousands of other farmers across the province,” says Mark Brock, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario, from his tractor cab. “We have to wonder why the Government of Ontario is in such a rush to move new regulations on treated seed forward during the busiest time of year for those most impacted by the regulations.”
Grain Farmers of Ontario wrote to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to request an extension for comment on the proposed seed treatment regulations, and have not been given a formal reply. Without farmer input, the decision making will be left to government officials based in Toronto who only understand agriculture from an academic perspective and appear to rely heavily on anti-agriculture activists for their information.
“While the timeline works well for anti-agriculture groups and the government, it completely dismisses the timeline for farmers,” says Brock. “Everyone knows April and May are critical for planting Ontario’s grain crops — even Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture identifies early May as critical for planting corn and soybeans.”
NDP and Progressive Conservatives MPPs rose in the legislature this week to address the proposed Neonicotinoid ban in support of farmers.
Petitions regarding proposed EBR Posting 012-3733: Regulatory Amendments to Ontario Regulations 63/09 Under the Pesticides Act to Reduce the Use of Neonicotinoid Insecticides signed by concerned Ontarians were read by MPPs Todd Smith and Lisa Thompson this week. MPP Taras Natyshak discussed the concerns farmers in his riding have with the proposed neonicotinoid ban during Members Statements.
“We appreciate the work of MPPs who represent rural ridings to raise awareness of the realities of farming to those at Queens Park,” says Brock. “We hope the government recognizes that we can’t move spring planting, but they can move consultation dates.”
Grain Farmers of Ontario
Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 corn, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.
Contact:
Mark Brock, Chair – 519-274-3297; cropper01@hotmail.com
Meghan Burke, Communications – 519 767-2773; mburke@gfo.ca
