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Canada invests in new surveillance system to document honey bee health
Jul. 16, 2014
Canada Agriculture Minister announced an investment of $1 million to the Beekeepers Commission of Alberta to initiate a four-year-nation-wide surveillance project to document the health profile of honey bee colonies in Canada.
The aim of the project is to record the nature, extent and prevalence of diseases, pest organisms and chemical residues in Canadian apiaries. To date, surveillance of this nature has been done at the regional level, and the sector is seeking to expand coordination and identify commonalities nationally on the health of bees. This baseline information is essential in regional colony health management practices and will identify exotic organisms before they establish themselves within Canadian bee populations. The data gathered will also support Canada's position for international trade of honey bee stock.
This project builds on the work that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's researchers, in partnership with the Canadian Honey Council, the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists and their international counterparts, have undertaken in recent years to address emerging bee health issues.
Quick facts:
- Founded in 2006, the Beekeepers Commission of Alberta represents more than 1,300 beekeepers and the production of 60 per cent of the honey crop in Canada.
- In 2013, the total value of honey produced in Canada was $176 million.
- Honey bees are the primary managed pollinator used in agriculture world-wide.
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has invested over $2.6 million for 22 projects with industry councils to improve the health and sustainability of bee colonies.
- This investment is being made through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriMarketing Program, a five-year, up to $341-million initiative under Growing Forward 2.
Source: Government of Canada
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