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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-10-15, Page 25Wednesday, October 15, 2014 • Huron Expositor 25 Bee -killing pesticides bigger threat than DDT: Ontario enviro commish Antonella Artuso Queen's Park Bureau Chief Bee -killing pesticides used for Ontario crops pose a massive threat to the prov- ince's environment — bigger even than the infamous and banned DDT, Ontario envi- ronmental commissioner Gord Miller says. "All the science is not done, but everything I have before me ... suggests to me as an ecologist that this is the biggest threat to the struc- ture and ecological integrity of the ecosystem that I have encountered in my life. Big- ger than DDT," Miller said Tuesday, following the release of his annual report. Miller likened bees to the proverbial 'canary in the coal mine' because the pollina- tors are dying off in unprec- edented numbers. DDT is a type of insecti- cide that began to be banned in the 1970s after it was dis- covered that it posed a sig- nificant hazard to wildlife and the environment. A relatively new class of pesticides known as neonic- otinoids, used extensively in corn and soybean seeds, is the suspected culprit in the bee die -off. Ontario beekeeper David Schuit, who is calling for an outright ban on neonicoti- noids, said he has lost one hundred million bees since 2012 and will be forced out of business. "One seed of treated corn is enough to kill one entire hive," he said. "There's over 32,000 seeds per acre!' The bees that don't die are paralyzed or confused, caus- ing queens at times to lay eggs outside the hive in the grass, Schuit said. "Pollinators feed cities, then comes farmers," he said. •M, Ait 3i .."'",•."' 41 .11.;:t* 4r -,, • - '- 11L'.'F'-' - .-..,,y.„- .- 2 -...2.• -7 ' • . ,• • , 811 Fai a441p dogr- "4"•- , ,r r5Ir- dlirdb 100 AL 44"611Xailifile 4.1 111 le 011011 #41070-0,1100410 41101 - toodi 4:111 4001410 Aer * eleit-0 -77% According to Ontario's environmental commissioner bee -killing pesticides, which are being used on many Ontario crops are posing a massive threat to the environment. Most fruits and vegetable crops in the province depend on pollinators like honey bees. Ontario Environment Minister Glen Murray said his ministry is looking at the use of neonicotinoids, but it's too late to make changes for next year's crop. "It is an issue that has caused me great concern — it is much more toxic than DDT," Murray said. The majority of the pesticide seeps from the saturated seed into the soil, and it stays in the environ- ment for years, he said. Initial studies out of the United States show it has a negative impact not only on beehives but also on wild bees, birds, soil health, frogs and other aquatic life, Mur- ray said. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, neonicotinoids were first registered on corn in 2001. Now, the pesticides are found in 99% of the corn crop, 65% of soybeans, 25-33% of cereals, 95% of dry beans and 100% of canola where they help control risks like wire - worm, grubs, corn rootworm and con flea beetles. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) says farm- ers rely on bees and pollina- tors, and the growing mor- tality rate is "troubling" but more work needs to be done on this issue. "For generations, the development and over- whelming success of Ontar- io's agricultural industry has relied on science and tech- nology. What we need once again is a sustainable solu- tion, built on sound science and applied by everyone in the agriculture industry," the OFA said on in a statement. Miller said the neonicoti- noids have only been in broad use in Ontario over the past decade and he has not noticed a massive increase in crop yields. There are other low - impact tools available to farmers to control insects, and pesticides should only be used as a very last resort, he said. "Every corn seed I'm told in Ontario now is treated with this (pesticide) in advance, anticipating insect damage which doesn't seem to occur all the time," Miller noted. Be "bear wise" when closing your cottage The Ministry of Natural Resources is asking those who are closing down their cottages to be "bear wise! A media release from the MNR offered a number of tips on how to keep unwanted visitors from your cottage during the fall and winter seasons. What cottagers can do: - Never leave garbage behind. If you must leave before garbage day, or if you do not have curbside collec- tion, take your garbage with you when you go. Take it to an approved waste disposal site. - Fill bird feeders only through the winter months. - Never feed bears (or other wildlife) or try to approach them. - Put garbage in contain- ers that have tight -fitting lids, and only put it out on gar- bage day, not the night before. - Store garbage in a bear - resistant container, secure shed or garage. Do not store garbage in plywood boxes, old freezers or vehicles. - Do not stockpile garbage. Take it to an approved waste disposal site regularly. - Keep meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day. - Remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease trap, after each use. - Do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter. - Pick all ripe fruit off trees, and remove vegetables and fallen fruit from the ground. - Encourage your neigh- bours to practise Bear Wise habits. - If you rent your cottage, tell your tenants the impor- tance of being "bear wise", and make these tips available. You are responsible for your own personal safety. Take precautions when you are outdoors. Visit ontario.ca/bearwise for more information on bears: - What to do if you see or encounter a bear on your property - How to avoid encounters with black bears while enjoying the outdoors. - Bear encounters - Who do 1 call?