Grain Farmers of Ontario's Request of Stay Regarding Neonic Regs Gets Court Date

The Grain Farmers of Ontario have received a court date regarding its case requesting a stay of the Ontario government’s new regulations limiting access to neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed. The regulations came into force as of July 1, 2015.

The case will be heard September 28th, 2015, says GFO. If a stay is granted, the regulations will be subject to further review.

“Our organization firmly believes these regulations are not workable and we are highly concerned about how they will negatively impact the future of grain farming in this province,” says Mark Brock, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario, in a press release.

The court date falls well into the fall seed marketing season, and GFO reminds growers the regulations are already law. Regardless of the outcome of the court case, farmers need to educate themselves on compliance with current regulations, GFO says.

To that end, Ontario farmers may attend one of several neonic-regulation information sessions being hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. You can find locations and times at this link.

Related:

• Agriculture is forever changed — 4 lessons learned from the neonic restriction process in Ontario
• Neonic suspension seen decreasing canola yields in the EU