CBJ – The Ontario government will enact restrictions on the agricultural use of a type of pesticides linked to the population decline of honeybees and other pollinating insects.

The move is being opposed by Ontario’s chemical and agriculture industries, which say neonicotinoid pesticides are vital tools to protect corn, soybeans and other crops from insects.

But the pesticide, which renders plants toxic to pests, has been blamed for the deaths of honeybees and other beneficial insects that are responsible for pollinating one-third of the food we eat.

According to an announcement from the provincial government, the province will reduce the number of field acres planted with neonic-treated seeds by 80% by 2017.

@CanBizJournal