Ontario's Agriculture Minister says an 80 per cent reduction in acres planted with neo-nic treated seeds by 2017 is an aspirational goal.
Jeff Leal says it's what the ministry figures is needed to reduce the over-winter bee mortality rate by 15 per cent by 2020.
(NOTE: Original story read 50 per cent - number was updated as per correction from the Minister's office.)
The proposal is drawing a lot of criticism from a number of Ontario farm groups.
Leal says he wants to work with farmers and beekeepers to develop a strategy that's sensitive to the needs of both groups.
He's encouraging those groups to take advantage of the 60 day consultation period to come up with practical ideas on how that goal cutting neo-nic treated acres to reduce the bee mortality rate can be reached.
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Agriculture Minister Jeff Leal refers to that as an aspirational target.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/LEAL-Neo-1.mp3"][/audio]
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Leal says farm organisations should take advantage of the 60 day consultation period to provide feedback on the proposal.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/LEAL-Neo-2.mp3"][/audio]
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Leal says the 60 day consultation period is a way for those groups to respond constructively to the plan.
[audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/LEAL-Neo-3.mp3"][/audio]
