A new initiative has been launched to address the limitations that are about to be placed on Certified Crop Advisors and Professional Agrologists.
On Friday, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson introduced Bill 4, the Supporting Agricultural Experts in Their Field Act.
Thompson says she's received unanimous acknowledgement from those in the agri-food sector that something needed to be done.
She feels if the government wants to restrict the use of neonics, they need to take measures that are still workable for producers.
Changes to regulation 63/09 will keep CCAs and PAgs associated with manufacturers or retailers who deal with class 12 pesticides from acting as professional pest advisors.
Ontario currently has 600 licensed advisors. If the changes go through, that number will be cut to 80, of which only 2 serve northern Ontario.
Thompson adds farmers should have the freedom to work with whomever they want.
If changes are made, she says it will be difficult for producers to get their necessary assessments and documents for access to the agricultural inputs they need.
