The province has promised to make strides in reducing a pesticide that has a direct link to killing honey bees. The Liberals says they want to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean in two years. The Muskoka-Parry Sound Beekeepers’ Association President Cathy Crowder says farmers don’t have a choice in what seeds they buy, which could negatively affect their bees.
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Crowder says we don’t have many corn or soybean cash crops. But our bees can still be affected by crops or hives transported from the infected areas to our district.
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Although it’s hard to say if pesticides are the cause of local bee deaths, Crowder says they still saw a reduction.
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Crowder says last winter also played a part in local bee mortality. Click Reducing Pesticides and Protecting Pollinator Health for more information on the Ontario government’s announcement.