Court denies stay of Ontario's neonicotinoid law Saturday, October 24, 2015 by BETTER FARMING STAFFThe Ontario Superior Court has denied Grain Farmers of Ontario’s request for a stay of a law that requires farmers to greatly restrict the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments next spring.In a written statement released late afternoon Friday, Mark Brock, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s chairman, expressed disappointment at the judge’s ruling which had been reserved following a hearing on an application made in court on Sept. 28. Brock, who farms near Staffa in Perth County, says the 28,000 member organization “has not conceded on this matter,” and is considering further legal options. Farmers are in a difficult situation as they order seed this fall for planting in the spring, Brock says. Arrangements must be made now with seed dealers to either treat or not treat the ordered seed which is delivered shortly before planting in the spring.The widespread use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in recent years has been blamed for high losses in hives in overwintering bees. Beekeepers have called for a ban on use of the seed treatments. The regulations that Grain Farmers is fighting came into effect on July 1. Better Farming was unable to reach the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change was not able to respond Friday.UPDATE: Oct. 24, 2015"We are pleased the court has ruled in favour of the government's actions to improve pollinator health," writes Kate Jordan, spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, in an email. "The new requirements support the government of Ontario’s target to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed by 80 per cent by 2017."These rules will be phased in to give farmers and seed vendors time to adapt. Government funded training is also available to farmers through to September 2016." BF World Health Organization slams meat consumption Maple leaf promoting U.S. canned corn sold in Ontario stores riles growers
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University of Guelph Receives $1 Million Gift to Advance Sustainable Materials Research and Bioeconomy Growth Friday, July 24, 2026 The University of Guelph has received a $1-million gift from The WB Family Foundation to expand research into sustainable materials and support the continued growth of Ontario's bioeconomy. The investment will support the University's Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre... Read this article online
Southco Launches R4-50 Rotary Latch with Dual Triggers for Equipment Cabs Friday, July 24, 2026 Southco has launched a new cab access solution aimed at improving safety, durability, and ease of operation in demanding environments. The company’s latest product, the R4-50 Rotary Latch with Dual Triggers, is designed specifically for agricultural and heavy-duty... Read this article online
Zucchini Harvest and Summer Squash – Ontario leads the way. Friday, July 24, 2026 Ontario has the largest field vegetable sector in Canada, with approximately 859,000tonnesof field vegetables produced in 2024, representing about 34% of total Canadian field vegetable production. Quebec was second at about 694,000tonnes. Ontario also has the largest number of field... Read this article online
Pilot project supports Ontario and Quebec ag Friday, July 24, 2026 A new two-year pilot project is designed to help livestock farmers in Quebec by giving them access to an Ontario abattoir. The project, a collaboration between the Quebec and Ontario governments, with additional support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), would see a limited... Read this article online