Ontario farmers are now facing new restrictions on the use of neonic-treated corn and soybean seed starting with 2016 planting. The Ontario government unveiled its rules for protecting pollinators through reducing acres treated with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds on June 9, 2015. The new regulations come into effect on July 1, 2015. Farmers will make seed choices this fall under these regulations.
The OFA has supported and consistently advocated for a broad pollinator health strategy. We submitted a formal response to the Pollinator Health discussion paper. We maintain our original position that any approach must be manageable on the farm, and that a comprehensive pollinator strategy is needed to address all pollinator health problems. The strategy must be inclusive to pests, disease and loss of habitat to name a few areas. When the Ontario government made it clear they were moving ahead with changes to the Pesticides Act to restrict the use of neonicotinoid coated corn and soybean seed, OFA recognized the importance of working with the government to ensure their regulatory intentions would still be workable for Ontario farmers. Now that the government’s new regulations are posted, OFA’s work continues. The OFA will be looking for better detail and flexibility to implementation of the regulations to give clarity and efficiency. Our concern is in minimizing the impact on farmers. We will be closely working with government during further discussions and consultations. We made some progress to decrease the burden of the regulations faced by farmers and the seed industry prior to this release. Under the new legislation seed dealers on the farm are not regulated and transporting neonic-treated seed isn’t restricted. Ontario farmers still have access to neonic-treated corn and soybean seed where need is illustrated. Nonetheless, the regulations still present a burden coming within a very short implementation timeline. The OFA has two important tasks. First we need to work closely with the government and industry to do what we can to make these regulations workable to begin addressing the aspirational target of the government. Secondly, we need to continue to push for a comprehensive pollinator strategy that works for all in the province to further pollinator health improvement with all considerations. Our work isn’t done until this regulatory regime makes sense, and a pollinator strategy is completed. Achieving minimum competitiveness impact for all, while supporting new innovation to come to the province, have to be considerations. Bottom line, we need a holistic pollinator health strategy that engages everyone and works for all Ontario farmers. OFA Commentary: June 15, 2015 For more information, contact: Don McCabe President Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-331-6175 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883
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Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) and Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) are proud to announce the sixth annual OARA Tire Take Back event to raise money for The Sunshine Foundation of Canada.
From June 1-6*, Ontario residents can drop off unlimited used tires for free at participating Auto Recyclers during business hours across the province. Every single tire dropped off generates a donation to the Sunshine Foundation! It will be easy to drop off your used tires, as there are 60 OARA locations across Ontario participating in this year’s event. OARA Members process end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) in an environmentally responsible manner, ensuring the environment is protected from potentially harmful operating fluids and toxins such as mercury and lead. Scroll down for a map of participating locations. All tire collection allowances from each tire dropped off go towards the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, an organization that helps dreams come true for children who are challenged by severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. Since 2010, the collection events helped to raise $826,569 to support this cause. How much can we raise this year to make dreams come true? We’ll soon find out![ Read more about our valuable partners. Without the support of the dedicated organizations who collect and haul the thousands of used tires dropped off during Tire Take Back, the event could not be possible. Beyond providing their services, these organizations also contribute financially, so that as many Sunshine Children as possible can have their dreams fulfilled. By Debra Pretty-Straathof, Board Member, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
For the second year in a row, Thanksgiving comes in June. It’s Local Food Week from June 1-7, a celebration of the fresh, healthy food grown, and processed right here in Ontario. Local Food Week highlights Ontario’s agriculture and food industry, and provides the perfect backdrop to promote the wide variety of Ontario foods and beverages available all year long. If you live and eat in Ontario, you enjoy the widest variety of locally-produced food. Ontario farmers grow and produce more than 200 products. These range from traditional crops and livestock like corn and wheat, hogs and chickens to ethnic foods like bok choy and kohlrabi. We’re able to produce such high volume and variety of quality food because Ontario has more than half of the highest quality, Class 1, farmland in Canada. Ontario’s more than 51,000 farmers produce more than just food. Ask the average person on the street about the importance of Ontario agriculture and they won’t likely know our sector directly contributes $13.7 billion to Ontario’s economy. And on a national level, our province generates nearly one-quarter of the total revenue for farms across Canada. Agriculture’s biggest partners, Ontario food processors, understand the value of local food. Ontario’s food and beverage sector purchases more than 60% of all the food produced on Ontario farms. Food processors are extending the value of Ontario grown and raised products, and contributing an additional $21.3 billion to our province’s GDP. Local food has a huge impact in Ontario – not just feeding us, but fueling the entire economy. Thanksgiving is typically a time when we pause to enjoy the bounty of the harvest. For the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) we believe Local Food Week is about recognizing the variety of great, healthy food grown right here at home. The Ontario government has chosen the first week of June to focus special attention on the homegrown food and beverages available in Ontario. Those of us in agriculture know Local Food Week is really local food year. Celebrate the good things that grow Ontario during Local Food Week. And keep the love of local going all year long – Ontario farmers are. And Ontarians are reaping the benefits of our industry 365 days a year. For more information, contact: Debra Pretty-Straathof Board Member Ontario Federation of Agriculture 613-371-8840 Neil Currie General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture 519-821-8883 |
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