Grain Farmers of Ontario has commenced legal proceedings against the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in regard to the province’s legislation concerning neonicotinoid seed treatments. GFO asked the Superior Court to delay the implementation of the proposed regulations until May 1, 2016, or ‘such time as the requirements of the regulation can reasonably be met.’ If the court provides a stay against the regulations, farmers will be able to plant next year under the same rules followed this planting season. A court date of Sept. 28 is set to hear GFO’s request for a stay of the neonicotinoid seed treatment regulations brought into law July 1. If a stay is granted the regulations will be subject to further review. “The outcome of our multi-step legal strategy will be critical to the livelihood of grain farmers,” says Barry Senft, CEO of GFO.
