The province is moving ahead with its plan to reduce the number of acres planted with neonicotinoid insecticides by 80 per cent — and the new rules could take effect this July.

Some neonicotinoids are toxic to birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. The government says its 80 per cent reduction plan by 2017 is a precautionary approach to protect pollinators.

The proposed regulations, released today, would set new rules for the sale and use of neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds. The draft regulation is available for public comment until May 7th.

If approved, the new rules would take effect July 1st.

The Liberal government says bee deaths in Ontario reached 58 per cent last winter. The generally accepted level is just 15 per cent.

Bees and other pollinators are responsible for pollinating roughly 13 per cent of agricultural crops in Ontario worth about $897 million.