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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-07-08, Page 5r111711 letters to the editor Wednesday, July 8, 2015 • News Record 5 www.clintonnewsrecord.com Thompson believes neonic ban is just politics Dear Editor, Tomorrow, the new regula- tion banning the use of the neonicotinoid (neonic) pesti- cide on 80 per cent of corn and soybean acreage will come into effect across Ontario. The ban, introduced by the Liberal gov- ernment back in the fall of 2014 has farmers from across the province nervous for their next growing season in 2016. Neonicotinoids are the most commonly used type insecti- cide in the United States and Australia and until this week Europe. They have been in used in Canada and Ontario since the early 1990s. The use of neonics, applied to the seed, has replaced earlier more toxic products that had to be sprayed on leaves at up to 20 times the neonic application rate. As a seed treatment, the product first addresses pests in the soil and then moves up through the seedling providing protection for up to 28 days before dissipating. Virtually none of the product makes it to the flower. The new Liberal regulation dictates those who sell neonic- treated seeds must obtain a license, submit annual sales reports to the province and be responsible for ensuring that farmers meet the requirements to use treated seeds. The new regulation also includes that by 2017 farmers will no longer be able to use neonics at all unless they can prove they have a pest problem. Once they can prove they have a problem, they will need to sign a declaration and participate in a pest manage- ment course. In other words, this is essentially an outright ban unless a need for use can be proven. The government imple- mented this regulation citing there was a problem with bee health. However, science would disagree. Since noticing more bee deaths in 2013, farmers have dealt with dust drift at planting by developing and using deflectors and seed fluid- ity agents. Farmers have applied these best practices successfully, in fact Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) reports that "during planting period there was a 70 per cent decrease in the number of reported bee yards affected in 2014 compared to 2013, and in 2015 the reduction was 80% compared to 2013': It is clear that industry has been proac- tively solving the problem themselves and didn't need heavy regulation from govern- ment to fix the problem. The Ontario Pollinator Health Blueprint has been recently released by a task force of certi- fied crop advisors, ag retailers, the seed trade, farmers and beekeepers. Recommendations range from increased commu- nication between farmers and beekeepers, to work on bee nutrition and habitat, to man- ageable and reasonable limits on insecticide use. The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs asked the cash crop and beekeeper community to meet OMAFRA half way, and they have. Yet, despite this, govern- ment remains adamant on its 80 per cent neonicotinoid ban by 2017. Instead, unfortunately the political and activist agenda coming from this Liberal gov- ernment trumped science. In order to have good policy, we must use good science. We are not seeing this with the direc- tion of this Liberal government. It is clear that Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals have their own agenda and they just aren't in it for Rural Ontario anymore. Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron -Bruce Reader believes Harper has changed Canada's values Dear Editor, Canada Day is always a spe- cial day to reflect on the good- ness that is bestowed upon those of us, who, either by birthright or by choice are most fortunate to be able to say, "I am a Canadian." I have been a Canadian since 1975, and I regularly count my blessings on becoming a Cana- dian. Being a Canadian is not something that we should ever take for granted. As our national anthem states, "We stand on guard for thee." As I watched the Canada Day celebrations on CBC unfold, I savoured the words of Canada's Governor General, David Johnston, when he said, "The country we dream of won't build itself" There are a myriad of ways, big and small whereby each and every one of us can help to build the Canada of which we dream. The prime minister of Can- ada has one of the most power- ful and most responsible build- ing roles that any Canadian could ever apply for. As our governor general addressed the joyous gathering of thousands on parliament hill, I pon- dered whether Mr. Harper was having any misgivings about the most radical ways in which he has changed Canada's val- ues in the nine years of his iron -fisted rule. His silenc- ing and firing of federal scien- tists, his abdication of responsi- bility as the chief custodian of the water we drink, the air that we breathe and the earth which grows our food, together with his disregard and disre- spect for democracy, are but three of the many deep scars that he has forced upon tradi- tional Canadian values, scars which will take years or dec- ades for future politicians to remove. Before we go to the polls in October, it is important that Canadians reflect on the damage that Mr. Harper has inflicted upon our Canadian culture and values during his term as prime minister of one of the most amazing countries in the world. Yours sincerely, Jim Hollingworth, Goderich From the archives 15 Years Ago... • Clinton was preparing for national judges in the Communities in Bloom competition. The commu- nity had received four blooms in the previous year's competition. The judges were looking for tidiness effort, environ- mental effort, community involvement, heritage, urban forestry, landscaped area, floral arrangement and turf areas. • The fourth annual Pluc'KIN Fest was held but was rained out early. • Heavy rains forced beach closures. The Huron County Health Unit warned the public that E. coli counts had reached unsafe levels at several county beaches. 25 Years Ago... • The Vanastra Lions Club became owner and landlord of a $2.3 million housing project The Ontario Ministry of Housing accepted its application to reno- vate a vacant building in the community into a 36 -unit apart- ment building. The planwas three years in the makingfor the club. • The English and Welsh Women's Institutes celebrated its 75th anniversary. 35 Years Ago... • The Vanastra road bridge was under construction and set for opening. The bridge had been closed for the month prior to remove three and a half -inches of the old cement deck A new cement deck, curbs, and railings were added during construction. • The new Huron County Librarybuilding on Waterloo Street was officially opened bythe Lieu- tenant Governor of Ontario at the time, Pauline McGibbon. • Huron County's tree cutting bylaw created controversy because landowners wanted to clear bush on their land. One of the landowners was required to replant an equal area to that removed and many others were denied altogether.