The University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus is offering a certification course for farmers who need to buy and use neonicotinoid treated corn or soybean seed.
Anyone using the seeds must complete pest management training and certification as part of new provincial requirements starting August 31, 2016.
The course is free of charge if completed by August 31st.
The certification lasts for 5 years and a certified individual can supervise up to seven people to help with planting.
Courses take half a day in class or about two days online.
Virtually 100 per cent of corn seeds and about 60 per cent of soybean seeds planted in Ontario are treated with neonicotinoids, figures the province wants to reduce by 80 per cent in just two years.
For the 2016 planting season, farmers will be able to use the pesticide-treated seeds on up to 50 per cent of their corn and soybean crops, but must prove they have a pest problem before using any additional neonicotinoids.
