RNAO has joined other health and environment organizations to respond to an urgent environmental problem affecting Ontarians and much of the rest of the world. Bees and other pollinators are dying off at alarming rates, and their deaths have been linked to a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids ("neonics").

The situation requires immediate action. Ontario lost 58 per cent of its honey bees in 2014, and this could have serious implications for our food supply. Exhaustive research concludes that neonics harm pollinators, and their breakdown products are neurotoxics that add to our toxic load.

It's time for Ontario to follow the lead of the European Commission and restrict the use of neonics. Last year, Ontario proposed a plan to reduce honey bee mortality by reducing the use of neonics. While RNAO supports this positive first step, we prefer a complete ban with provisions ensuring that protection targets are met.

What you can do:

Provide your comment [1] supporting strong restrictions on neonics to Ontario's Environmental Registry by the Jan. 25, 2015 deadline. The David Suzuki Foundation has set up and easy way to submit comments [2] with an editable suggested message.

Also, please read more this important issue in RNAO's neonicotinoid backgrounder [3].