Seeds for Success: The Value of Seed Treatments for Ontario Growers

Neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used by farmers around the world to protect crops from insect pests. In this report, we explore the economic consequences that a hypothetical restriction on neonicotinoids in Ontario would have on Ontario corn and soybean farmers. Such a restriction would likely reduce crop yields, increase farmers’ costs, or both, causing farms to exit the market or reduce acreage. We estimated that this would decrease farmers’ revenues by $630 million annually, and reduce Ontario’s GDP by nearly $440 million. Policy-makers considering changes to neonicotinoid regulations should fully examine all of the costs and benefits of such a policy, and clarify the potential costs to the farming community in Ontario.