OFA provides comments to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs regarding emergency use status in Ontario for Avipel Dry Hopper Powder for treatment of corn seed as a bird repellent. Damage to crops by birds is a serious problem for many Ontario farmers and therefore OFA supports the use of this product in emergency situations. OFA recently conducted research that found the economic damage caused by wildlife to Ontario crop producers was nearly $215 million in 2019. OFA understands that Avipel is approved for use as a seed treatment in the United States. Many of the areas in the United States where Avipel is approved border the Great Lakes and have agroclimatic conditions similar to Ontario. Emergency use status of Avipel Dry Hopper Power would allow for farmers to use the product as an additional tool to deter birds from damaging corn crops in Ontario.