(With reporting from Marty Thompson)
OMAFRA got lots of diverse views at this week's public consultation on the government's pollinator health proposals in London.
The ministry's Director of Food Safety and Environment Policy, Sharon Bailey, says there was lots of excellent discussion at the first of a series of consultation sessions.
She says they plan to take some early input on the pollinator health proposals, then come back with a more detailed proposal for further discussion later next year.
While the ministry has ideas on how they think the regulatory side could work, Bailey says they're looking for ways to make it practical and balanced so it's not a burden for farmers to implement.
She points out that while there are regulations already in place for many pesticides, treated seeds are a new way to apply pesticides so they're breaking some new ground with these proposals.
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Bailey says they're seeking input on the pollinator health aspect of the proposal to help them refine it moving forward.
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Bailey says at this point they have some ideas on how they think the regulatory part of the proposals will work but need feedback on that from stakeholders.
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