Neonic-seed usage dropped dramatically in 2019: Report

The amount of neonicotinoid-coated seeds used on Ontario corn and soybean fields dropped dramatically in 2019, according to the provincial government.

Based on 41 per cent of vendors reporting, Ontario farmers planted at least 250,000 acres of neonic-treated corn and 52,000 acres of neonic-treated soybeans. That’s a drop in the bucket considering that Ontario farmers planted 2.2 million acres of corn and 3.1 million acres of soybeans last year. However, 51 per cent of vendors hadn’t reported neonic acreage by press time.

The neonic-seed, an insecticide-treated seed, has dropped dramatically in usage. In 2018, 2.45- million acres (47 per cent) of Ontario corn and soybean acres were neonic-treated.

In 2014, the provincial Liberal government announced a neonic ban, persuaded by environmentalists that neonics used by farmers were killing bees.