Pettapiece urges farmer consultation
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece delivered a member’s statement in the Ontario legislature calling on the government to listen to farmers before moving any further on its proposed ban on neonicotinoid pesticides.
He is also demanding the government “base its decisions on science - not politics,” states a Feb. 27 press release issued by the MPP’s office.
Pettapiece says he supports the agriculture industry in its call for evidence-based policy decisions. He asked the government to return to its discussions with agricultural stakeholders and the Pollinator Task Force on solutions that protect pollinators and the environment.
“People tell me they supported the investigation into the effects of neonics, because they want to be using the most environmentally sound practices on their land. However, what we are seeing now is policy decisions being made without the scientific evidence to back them up,” Pettapiece stated.
“I must support the agriculture industry in its call for this government to talk with agricultural stakeholders and the Pollinator Task Force to come up with solutions that protect pollinators and the environment,” he added.
