“The Federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency and the Canadian chemical industry have approved a modification for growers,” explains Charles Stevens, chair of the Ontario Apple Growers Association. “Seeds are now coated with a polymer to reduce the emission of bee dust by 70%. However by 2017, the government wants to reduce the amount of acres treated with neonicotinoids to 80%.” Ontario also plans to create a Pollinator Health Action plan which includes cutting bee mortality rates in the winter months to 15% by the year 2020 in order to create better bee health and hive management.
The current decrease of neonicotinoids was initiated by political means and public concern. Growers are sceptical if the reduction of such pesticides will eventually involve horticulture. However, most Ontario growers treat with neonicotinoids as part of Integrated Pest Management. Growers are then forced to balance pesticide use with pollinator decline.
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) which represents the federal government registers products for use in Canada, including registering labels so growers understand how to use conventional methods. However the provincial government is able to overrule chemical guidelines and laws to ban any products.
“Growers would love for this issue to be discussed through an agricultural initiative, and not a political one,” states Stevens, “all issues with human and bee exposure to neonicotinoids were tested before the product was released. But that one small occurrence of harming bees was undiagnosed during trials.”
The apple industry supports the registration process for pesticide materials enforced by PRMA and the federal government. “Other countries do not have a registration process, so some conventional products are unavailable for their use,” states Stevens, “Canada’s registration process is positively looked upon worldwide as the focus is the health and welfare of Canadian citizens.”
Bees are vastly important to apple growers as they are the main insect pollinator. Hives of honeybees are rented during blooming season to ensure the highest amount of pollination possible. Any chemicals which are toxic to bees are not used during the growth period. “Apple growers love bees,” reflects Stevens, “we need materials to eliminate unwanted pests, but if we used a product that was toxic to bees, there would be no apple pollination, and you would not have apples.”
For more information please contact:
Charles Stevens
Wilmot Orchards Inc
3337 Concession Road 3
Newcastle, ON
L1B 1L9
Cell: 905-259-5279
Ontario Apple Growers Association
Phone: 905-688-0990
Fax: 905-688-5915
kciceran@onapples.com
http://www.onapples.com/
Photo credits to Ontario Apple Growers Association