Grain Farmers of Ontario Pursuing Legal Action Against Neonicotinoid Regulations

Grain Farmers of Ontario has begun legal proceedings against the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, asking the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to provide an interpretation of the newly passed neonicotinoid treated seed regulations.

The regulations are scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2015, and the Grain Farmers of Ontario are also requesting a delay to their implementation until May 1, 2016, or until "such time as the requirements of the Regulation can reasonably be met". If a stay against the regulations is approved by the court, farmers will be able to plant next season’s crop under the same rules currently in effect.

Grain Farmers of Ontario is advising farmers to track all developments in the case saying that changes in the regulations may happen as soon as July - prior to seed orders being placed for the 2016 season.

"The decision to seek legal action against the Government of Ontario was not easy and is unprecedented in the history of our organization,” says Mark Brock, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario, “but it is necessary and the outcome of our multi-step legal strategy will be critical to the livelihood of grain farmers across the province."

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