A private member's bill put forward by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson has made it through second reading at Queen's Park.
Bill 4 is the Supporting Agricultural Experts in their Field Act.
In an interview with CKNX earlier this week, Thompson says the bill is meant to ease restrictions of upcoming legilsation surrounding Class 12 pesticides.
More specifically the planned restrictions on professional pest advisors affiliated with manufacturers or retailers of Class 12 pesticides.
"Everyone close to crop production in Ontario is well aware that ON Reg. 63/09 was over the top," says Thompson. "I want to be clear in stating that the agri-food industry has taken great strides to research and understand the issue, develop a pollinator health plan, and educate farmers on new technologies so they can continue to be the best stewards of the land. This regulation was far too restrictive and entirely unnecessary."
There are currenlty 538 Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) and 30 Professional Agrologists (PAgs) in the province.
Thompson was concerned that the new regulations would knock that number down 80 due to what she called exsessive guiedlines.
