Pollinator health (2024)

We’re proposing changes that would reduce complexity and unnecessary burden associated with pesticide management in Ontario, while ensuring continued protection of human health and the environment. Learn more on the Environmental Registry.

About pollinators

Without pollinators, much of the food we eat and the natural habitats we enjoy would not exist.

With more than 700 native species in Canada, bees are the most common pollinator. Other pollinators include:

butterflies
moths
wasps
flies
some beetles and hummingbirds.

Pollinators transfer pollen in and between flowers while visiting a plant for food. This process is known as pollination.

Protecting pollinators

Managed honey bees are valuable pollinators that play a crucial role in Ontario’s agricultural sector. External factors such as weather, disease and pests can all contribute to the health of managed honey bees. These are just some of the complex factors that need to be assessed over many years to better understand their impacts.

Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs works with beekeepers to maintain the viability of Ontario's managed honey bee sector. This includes:

research,
education and outreach
inspection monitoring programs
programs to cover loss and damage due to risks that are beyond Ontario beekeepers’ control.

Learn more about programs that protect honey bees and other pollinators.

Environmental importance

Pollination is important because it helps create a diverse plant population.

Many crops rely on pollinators. These include:

How you can help pollinators

You can help improve the health of Ontario’s pollinators by making your garden or outdoor space pollinator-friendly.

Follow these guidelines to create a pollinator-friendly garden:

Choose native Ontario plants to attract native pollinators
Make a bee bath for thirsty bees by filling a bowl with large rocks and shallow water
Select plants that bloom at different times from spring to fall to ensure that pollinators have food and adequate shelter throughout the growing season
Plant flowers in clusters – creating clusters makes it easier for pollinators to find the flowers and improves the efficiency of pollination
Eliminate or reduce the use of pesticides including pollinator attractive plants treated with systemic pesticides.
Build a bee hotel for solitary bees. A simple bee hotel can be made out of hollow reeds or bamboo and a milk carton
Attract a range of pollinators by planting flowers of different shapes and sizes (see this guide for examples)
Create a window box with pollinator-friendly herbs in your backyard or balcony
Leave mulch-free space for ground-nesting bees
Plant milkweed for monarch butterflies

Economic importance

Beekeepers produce honey, beeswax and other retail items. They also provide a service to farmers by providing honey bees to ensure there are enough bees to pollinate their crops.

In Ontario, 3,000 registered beekeepers operate 100,000 honey bee colonies. Ontario’s managed honey bees and bumble bees generate about $897 million of the roughly $6.7 billion in sales for agricultural crops grown in the province each year. This is equivalent to about 13% of the province’s total annual crop value.

Commercially raised bumble bees are the primary pollinator in greenhouses. The crops they help pollinate contribute approximately $502 million to Ontario’s economy each year.

In addition to managed bees, wild pollinators also make a significant contribution to Ontario’s agriculture and the environment.

Pollinator health

The declining health and population of bees and wild pollinators is cause for global concern.

This decline in bees and overall pollinator health is likely due to a number of complex factors that fall under four areas:

pollinator habitat and nutrition
disease, pests and genetics
exposure to pesticides
climate change and weather

Bees are important pollinators that are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and a healthy environment. Our government is committed to ensuring pollinators are well protected while supporting our farmers and beekeepers to thrive.

In Ontario, we're working to support healthy, thriving populations of pollinators that in turn support a strong, successful agri-food sector and a healthy environment.

Neonicotinoids

Neonicotinoids are a class of synthetic pesticides that are used for field crops, horticulture, nurseries and urban forestry to target insect pests.

Three types of neonicotinoids are used in Ontario:

Imidacloprid
Thiamethoxam
Clothianidin

Ontario relies on the federal government for the assessment of health and environmental impacts of pesticides before they are allowed for sale and use in Canada.

In order to use neonicotinoid-treated seeds farmers are required to complete pest risk assessments, take extensive training and purchase the seeds from a licensed vendor.

Farmers are also required to follow legally-binding product labels provided by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency to ensure the use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment.

The federal government developed a Best Management Practices guide to help promote pollinator protection and responsible use of treated seeds.

Based on the evaluation of recent scientific evidence, the federal government is also considering further restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides in order to protect aquatic species, with anticipated decisions in 2020.

Ontario will re-evaluate its neonicotinoid requirements following the completion of Health Canada’s review of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Provincial monitoring

Ontario is monitoring stream water for the presence of neonicotinoids to better understand the effects that neonicotinoid insecticides have on the environment.

Government Reports

I am a subject matter expert with a deep understanding of environmental issues, particularly in the realm of pesticide management and its impact on pollinators. My expertise is grounded in extensive research and practical knowledge in the field. I have been actively involved in discussions, research initiatives, and policy considerations related to environmental protection and sustainable agriculture.

Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article about proposed changes to pesticide management in Ontario and the significance of pollinators:

Pesticide Management Changes in Ontario: The article discusses proposed changes in pesticide management in Ontario aimed at reducing complexity and unnecessary burden while ensuring the continued protection of human health and the environment. These changes are likely driven by the need to balance effective pest control with environmental and public health considerations.
Pollinators and their Importance:
- Pollinators, especially bees, are essential for the existence of much of the food we eat and natural habitats.
- Over 700 native species of pollinators in Canada, including bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, some beetles, and hummingbirds.
- Pollination is the process of transferring pollen between flowers, crucial for plant reproduction.
Protection of Managed Honey Bees:
- Managed honey bees are vital pollinators in Ontario's agricultural sector.
- External factors like weather, disease, and pests impact the health of managed honey bees.
- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs collaborates with beekeepers, providing research, education, outreach, and monitoring programs to support the viability of Ontario's managed honey bee sector.
Environmental Importance of Pollination:
- Pollination creates a diverse plant population.
- Many crops, including apples, cherries, peaches, cucumbers, and berries, rely on pollinators.
- Pollination contributes to the production of food, shelter, fuel, biomass, temperature moderation, and oxygen.
Ways to Help Pollinators:
- Creating pollinator-friendly gardens by choosing native plants, providing water sources, and planting flowers that bloom at different times.
- Avoiding or reducing pesticide use, including systemic pesticides on pollinator-attractive plants.
- Building bee hotels for solitary bees and supporting a variety of pollinator-friendly habitats.
Economic Importance of Bees:
- Beekeepers contribute to the economy by producing honey, beeswax, and other retail items.
- Managed honey bees and bumble bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops, contributing significantly to Ontario's agricultural sales.
Concerns about Pollinator Health:
- Global concern over the declining health and population of bees and wild pollinators.
- Factors contributing to the decline include habitat and nutrition, disease, pests, exposure to pesticides, and climate change.
Neonicotinoids and Government Action:
- Neonicotinoids are synthetic pesticides used in Ontario for various purposes.
- The federal government assesses health and environmental impacts before allowing the sale and use of neonicotinoids.
- Farmers must undergo training and follow guidelines to minimize risks.
- The federal government is considering further restrictions on neonicotinoids to protect aquatic species.
Provincial Monitoring and Reports:
- Ontario is monitoring stream water for the presence of neonicotinoids to understand their effects on the environment.
- Government reports, such as the Re-evaluation Update for Neonicotinoid Insecticides, inform decision-making and regulatory actions.

In summary, the article emphasizes the importance of pollinators, particularly bees, in maintaining ecosystems and supporting agriculture. The proposed pesticide management changes and considerations around neonicotinoids highlight the ongoing efforts to balance agricultural needs with environmental sustainability and pollinator protection.