(With reporting by Victor De Jong)
Grain Farmers of Ontario is concerned about a new piece of proposed legislation that would reduce the use of neo-nicotinoid pesticides.
The new regulations were unveiled yesterday online and, despite advocating for an alternative solution, GFO director Mark Brock wasn't surprised.
“We had some indication that there was going to be regulation would be coming forward with our conversation with the ministry's office last week, so we were just anticipating when it would be posted and I think 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon we were informed that it was going to be available on the website.”
The GFO have their annual delegates meeting tomorrow morning where the board of directors will inform their constituents on the details of the proposed legislation.
On Thursday, members of the GFO's board of directors will meet with Ontario Agriculture Minister, Jeff Leal, to express their concerns.
Brock is worried that the legislation is being brought forward to cater to public opinion rather than having a base in scientific evidence.
“I think [there are] societal concerns about some of our farming practices and our impact on the environment [that] I feel are unfounded, but nonetheless they have that opinion, and I think that that's been expressed up through government and seeing government develop policy they feel is good for public health and listening to smaller groups that seem to have some influence from an environmental standpoint.”
The GFO's board of directors will conduct their annual representatives meeting tomorrow morning to relate the contents of the new legislation to their constituents before meeting with the agriculture minister.
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Brock talked about the government's proposals at GFO's March Classic in London today.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/BEES-Brock-1.mp3"][/audio]
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Brock says he's meeting with Ontario Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal this week to express his concerns.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/BEES-Brock-2.mp3"][/audio]
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Brock is concerned the new regulations are based on popular opinion instead of scientific evidence.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/BEES-Brock-3.mp3"][/audio]
