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Canadian
Fred Rathje and Willy Baumgartner Awards
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The Fred Rathje trophy is awarded annually to: "an individual who has made a significant positive contribution of innovative, creative and effective effort for the betterment of the Canadian honey bee industry".
The award is presented a the Annual General Meeting of the CHC
The Willy Baumgartner Memorial Award is bestowed to a member of the beekeeping community who may not be a beekeeper but, has made an outstanding contribution to support Canadian beekeeping.
Willy promoted integrated management approaches to beekeeping and his business, Medivet Pharmaceuticals donated tens of thousands of dollars to research – all without any expectations or restrictions.
Please send nominations to:
Rod Scarlett, chc-ccm@honeycouncil.ca
Deadline is Sept. 30th 2013.
CFIA changes to accepted construction materials
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/reference/refere.shtml
Honey producers please note that the CFIA Reference Listing of Accepted Construction Materials, Packaging Materials and Non-Food Chemical Products in the future will not be maintained under Inspection Modernization. Registered/licenced food (honey) establishments will be required to obtain their own letters from manufacturers stating that their products are food grade and/or appropriate to use in a food establishment.
Canadian Honey Council Bee Incident Committee Recommendations
Monday, April 15, 2013
#1. Reporting an Incident
1) The CHC recommends that the national toll-free telephone line for the reporting of pesticide incidents established by PMRA be more actively be promoted and publicized. Once the initial call has been placed, the appropriate provincial authorities should be immediately informed. If provincial authorities are contacted first, they should immediately notify PMRA of the incident.
2) The CHC recommends that the PMRA and/or provincial authorities contact (or connect) the registrant to beekeepers, when that course of action has been approved by the beekeeper.
3) The CHC recommends that Health Canada budget sufficient resources to PMRA in the long term to deal with bee incident reporting.
4) The CHC recommends that the PMRA alert the CHC when an incident is reported.
5) The CHC recommends that the PMRA revise their internal initial reporting policy to ensure that only after preliminary investigations are conducted, incident notification is posted on the web-site. In this way only those incidents where there is a likelihood of pesticide involvement are published.
6) The CHC recommends that the PMRA, representatives of the agricultural sector, and registrants draft appropriate guidelines to address gaps in the printed guidelines regarding bee incidents.
7) The CHC recommends that the PMRA abandon attempts to conduct the AG Field Questionnaire based on its current format for 2013 or until such time as there have been more detailed discussions with landowners and beekeepers.
8) In conjunction with the CHC, the PMRA incorporate comments made by the CAPA Chemical committee into the Bee Yard Questionnaire.
9) The CHC recommends that the PMRA bee incident reporting form have a question asking the last time the bee yard was visited.
10) The CHC recommends that the PMRA allow for a check box on the bee incident reporting form indicating that no investigation is to occur. (For reasons of the grower/beekeepers relationship)
11) The CHC recommends that the PMRA allow for a check off box on the bee incident reporting form permitting PMRA to share the specifics of the incident with the appropriate registrant.
12) The CHC, Provincial Associations and Provincial Apiarists provide information to beekeepers on what to look for in the event of a pesticide incident.
#2. Investigating an incident
1) CHC recommends that PMRA, in cooperation with Provincial authorities, registrants, and the CHC develop a standard sample collection/investigation procedure so the necessary steps are taken for proper analysis. CHC should be consulted on this for the final draft.
2) The CHC recommends that PRMA use provincial bee inspectors where available to carry out sample collection and investigation process in a knowledgeable and timely manner. Further that the appropriate sample, collection, and investigation procedures be shared with beekeepers so that they can collect their own samples.
3) The CHC recommends that Provincial authorities and Provincial Associations investigate the feasibility of developing an auditable course designed to teach beekeepers sample, collection and investigation procedures.
4) The CHC recommends that PMRA should allow for resources to carry out the investigating process beyond 2013.
5) The CHC should provide a list of qualified labs which a beekeeper could send samples to on their own.
6) The CHC recommends that PMRA needs to set a timeline from when the samples are picked up and when the results will be available to the beekeeper.
7) The CHC recommends that, if requested by beekeepers, registrants be allowed to carry out investigations.
8) Considerable work has been done on the introduction of a Best Management Practices for investigating a potential pollinator incident. Work needs to continue involving PMRA, CHC, Provincial Apiarists, crop production associations, registrants and other interested parties in order to formalize a national standard.
Analyzing toxicity levels of certain chemicals/ insecticides
1. It is recommended that the CHC ask CropLife Canada (CLC) to collect and summarize public data on value and contribution of Plant Protection products.
2. It is recommended that the CHC designate individuals from its leadership to improve their understanding of Canadian pesticide regulation participate by participating in a PMRA course on the subject.
3. It is recommended that the CHC request CLC to present a summary of the requirements of the PMRA vis a vis non-target organisms especially pollinators.
4. It is recommended that the CHC request CLC to provide an understanding of the quality and independence of “company-supplied information” in a pesticide submission through an explanation of GLP experimentation.
5. It is recommended that the CHC ask CLC to produce a presentation and/or webinar on basic Toxicology vis a vis pollinators and Crop Protection products.
6. It is recommended that the CHC gather questions about crop protection products which need to be addressed to beekeepers about pollinators.
7. It is recommended that the CHC gather information about the QC stakeholders committee and decide on a national structure to present to CHC board.
8. It is recommended that the CHC ask PMRA for information/presentation on how pollinators are protected to extend to beekeeping associations.
9. It is recommended that the CHC establish a rapport with PMRA for updates on regulatory requirements for Crop Protection products regarding pollinators.
10. It is recommended that the CHC ask CLC to provide to leadership/designates information on the development and regulatory aspects of Hive Health products.
#4 Point of contact? Seed treatments/dust or Surface/Aerial spray applications
1. It is recommended that the CHC should request CLC to expand the planned webinar on pesticide toxicity to pollinators to include routes of exposure.
2. It is recommended that the CHC ask the CLC to provide a series of articles/information to Hive Lights on the subject of exposure of pesticides to pollinators.
3. It is recommended that the CHC request the CLC to produce a document/presentation summarizing routes of pesticide exposure to pollinators.
4. It is recommended that the CHC request the CLC to provide BMPs for growers and their Outreach Strategy.
5. It is recommended that the CHC ask the CLC to collect and summarize existing literature on Exposure and Mitigation from EU/US sources.
6. It is recommended by the CHC that standard (bee incident) investigation procedures be utilized in Canada for bee incidents.
7. It is recommended by the CHC that a letter be drafted to the equipment manufacturers asking them to commit to participating in schemes to reduce fugitive dust by explaining and implementing short and long term strategies.
8. It is recommended that the CHC check the feasibility of the Seed Treatment (ST) industry hosting beekeepers at a ST facility to review processes and quality control . In the absence of a tour, that the CLC provide information/presentation about how corn seed is treated.
9. It is recommended that the CHC request the CLC to provide an update regarding the development and regulatory status of talc and graphite replacements to the CHC.
#5 Recommendations/Best Management Practices for beekeepers, seed companies/chemical companies, crop growers, applicators, ag equipment manufacturers
1. It is recommended that the CHC develop an agenda plan and venue for a discussion with stakeholders regarding the contribution of pollination to agriculture.
2. It is recommended that the CHC study existing pollinator partnership groups in the US to see if such models would be good to develop in Canada.
3. It is recommended that the CHC should ask CLC to collect existing examples of stewardship at seed treatment facilities.
4. It is recommended that the CHC should sponsor and organize discussions on BMPs for beekeepers to reduce the risk of exposure to pesticides.
5. It is recommended that the CHC should consider participating in Grow Canada, and communicate that information to CLC/Grow Canada.
6. It is recommended that the CHC discuss the need for the development of BMPs for beekeepers on the subject of hive-health products.
7. It is recommended that the CHC investigate opportunities associated with government programming focussed on improved access to forage in those parts of Canada where it has been requested.
8. It is recommended that the CHC evaluate opportunities for region-specific recommendations for melliferous plants which could be planted as crops and/or non-ag use areas similar to programs in the US and EU.
9. It is recommended that the CHC encourage provincial beekeeping associations to get involved in the provincial pesticide recommendation activities to bring (or increase) awareness of pollinator safety.
10. It is recommended that the CHC evaluate the value of implementing a program similar to “Driftwatch” in the US.
11. It is recommended that the CHC encourage all crop producers to incorporate an Integrated Pest Management plan on their operations
PMRA website revision
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Revisions to PMRA website are now available
Please note the BMP 2-pg Fact Sheet as well as the updated Pollinator Protection: Reducing Risk From Treated Seed are now live on the website.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/index-eng.php
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/index-fra.php
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/pollinator-protection-pollinisateurs/index-eng.php
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/pollinator-protection-pollinisateurs/index-fra.php
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/pollinator-protection-pollinisateurs/treated_seed-semences_traitees-eng.php
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/pollinator-protection-pollinisateurs/treated_seed-semences_traitees-fra.php
Production and Value of Honey 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Canadian beekeepers produced 90.9 million pounds of honey in 2012, a 13.8% increase from 2011. Canada had 8,126 beekeepers in 2012, 413 more than in 2011.
On average, each colony had a yield of 129 pounds, which was 3.5 pounds more than in 2011.
The number of managed colonies increased 10.7 from 637,900 to 706,400. The increase was a result of favourable weather conditions that resulted in low winter losses, particularly in the western provinces. Other contributing factors were overwintering and colony splitting.
Honey production in Alberta, the top producer in Canada, amounted to 40.5 million pounds, up 19% from 34.0 million pounds in 2011. Yields rose from 124 pounds per colony to 144 pounds.
In Saskatchewan, the increased number of colonies contributed to the increase in honey production from 15.9 million pounds in 2011 to 23.1 million pounds in 2012.
In contrast, production in Manitoba fell 14.3% following a wet spring and hot summer. Each colony in Manitoba had a yield of 165 pounds in 2012, down from 200 pounds in 2011.
In 2011, the total value of honey produced in Canada amounted to $151 million, up 4.5% from 2010.
The average price per gallon in Ontario was $64.49 in 2012, down from $66.72 in 2011. In Quebec, the average price per gallon remained relatively steady at $38.34, compared with $38.09 in 2011.
Honibe® Honey Lozenges™ in
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Charlottetown, PE, Canada – November 28th, 2012 – Island Abbey Foods Ltd.™, a PEI based natural health product and specialty food producer, has announced a collaboration deal with the number one provider of pharmacy products and service in Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart. This deal will showcase the Honibe® Honey Lozenges™ in all Shoppers Drug Mart cough and cold sets across the nation, including Pharmaprix in Quebec locations.
Honibe Honey Lozenges contain 99.99% pure honey, with a small amount of naturally derived menthol and eucalyptus and no artificial ingredients. Honibe will be featuring both flavors of their Honey Lozenges in Shoppers Drug Mart locations:
Honey Lozenges with Menthol and Eucalyptus and Honey Lozenges with Lemon, Menthol and Eucalyptus. Honibe Honey Lozenges are for the temporary relief of sore throat and nasal congestion with only 10 calories per piece (2.6 g) and are available in blister packages of 10 lozenges. Honey Lozenges are conveniently sized for easy transport in pockets, cars, briefcases or purses for increased consumer enjoyment.
“Being featured in Canada’s number one line of pharmacies is an exciting accomplishment for our Honibe brand,” stated John Rowe, President of Island Abbey Foods Ltd., “This partnership will allow our Honey Lozenges to be sold in over 900 Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada, with top quality pharmacists educating their consumers on the healthy message our honey lozenge line provides.”
Island Abbey Foods flagship brand Honibe has seen huge growth and recognition in the last few years. The Honibe Honey Drop achieved the most prestigious food award in the world at SIAL Paris 2010, the Global SIAL d’Or (Gold Medal).Which recognized the Honibe Honey Drop as “The Best New Food Product in the World”. Using the same proprietary technology as the award winning Honey Drop, the Honibe product line has since expanded to include Honey Delights candies, Honey Sprinkles for cooking and baking, and Honey Lozenges for coughs and colds. Honibe was subsequently honoured with the “Canada Brand Business Award” at SIAL (Toronto) in 2011. Honibe was also featured on one of Canada’s most popular television shows, CBC’s Dragons’ Den, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to savvy business investors. The Dragons smelled money in the honey pot as Honibe was offered one of the largest deals in the shows history. In August 2012, the Canadian Space Agency selected the Honibe Honey Drop as one of its ‘Snacks For Space’ and the Honey Drop will be going to the International Space Station with Canadian Commander Chris Hadfield’s December 2012 mission. Most recently, Island Abbey Foods was given the honour of being named one of Progress Magazines Fastest Growing Companies in 2012.
Remembering Dave MacMillian
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Contributed by
Doug McRory
Henry Kornelsen
Paul Kozak
Dave MacMillian was born October 18, 1951 to Hugh and Betty MacMillian in Hamilton and passed away August 14, 2012 (60 years) at Saint Joseph
Hospital in Hamilton with his mother, Betty at his side. Dave’s ashes will be buried in the family plot at Christ Church, 92 Highway 8, Greensville at 12:30 on Saturday October 27, 2012. Dave died too young of liver cancer. Dave has one brother, Allen of Sarnia.
Dave was married to Pat Van Sickle in June 1977. Pat had two boys Doug and Paul Van Sickle from a previous marriage. Kathryn (Schuebert) is Dave and Pat’s daughter.
Dave was born into a beekeeping family. His father Hugh was a graduate of University of Guelph with a degree in Apiculture in 1940. Hugh kept bees in the Greensville area. Hugh went off to the Second Would War as a wireless operator in the Navy. After the war he resumed beekeeping and in 1947 took a dozen hives of honey bees to the Halibury area east of Highway 11 just south of New Liskard. That was through the incentive program of $1.50 per hive that Gordon Townsend, Provincial Apiarist, got in place for the beekeepers of Niagara region. Both Hugh and Dave continued to keep bees in the New Liskard area every year after that. Hugh died on a Sunday afternoon in a bee yard in Sept 1977. Dave still had that bee yard when he passed away.
Dave graduated from Dundas High School with his Grade 12 certificate. At seventeen, he wanted to work in the bees with his father. Betty wanted Dave to go on to become an engineer like his grandfather but Dave was only interested in the bees. In the winters both Dave and Hugh worked at Clubine Bee Supply in Brantford where Dave became a very excellent wood worker. He made lots of beekeeping equipment.
Dave and his father did migratory beekeeping in which they would bring the bees south for the winter, pollinate orchards in the spring and take the bees north to New Liskard for the honey flow in the summer. Dave took over the bees when his father passed away. Eventually Dave and Pat built a beautiful home and honey house on the property in New Liskard and Dave indoor wintered the bees up there. He gave up the pollination at that time and concentrated on honey production. He made monthly trips south to market packaged honey.
Dave was very involved in the Ontario Beekeepers Association (OBA). He was a director for many years and was President in 1991-1992. Dave was the political father of the OBA Tech-Transfer Program. He negotiated a settlement from the previous mite survey program for the $85,000 per year for the Tech-Transfer Program and the continuation of the $30,000 per year to the OBA administration from OMAFRA. Both of these amounts have been maintained to the present.
Dave was President of Canadian Honey Council (CHC) in 2001-2002. He was the Ontario representative for many years to CHC. I worked closely with Dave when he was OBA president and CHC president. We travelled to Ottawa together many times. Dave served the beekeeping community exceptionally well in these capacities. Dave was very diplomatic but could also be very determined at times which led to his success. A great deal was accomplished to move many issues forward while Dave was on both boards. Dave deserves special recognition for his contributions to Canadian Apiculture.
Dave loved to fish and as we shared that passion we did get out together on several occasions. We would take my boat and go with Jon and Pat Perrin to their hunt camp on Howard Lake east of Kirkland Lake to fish for a week at a time (pickerel, pike and bass). We also went with Les Gray to the Montreal River to fish for bass. On one trip we went away up the Detour Mine road and had excellent walleye fishing (we were in the James Bay Watershed). Dave also loved golfing which he shared with Les and Betty Gray and his former pastor George in New Liskard. Les and Betty also liked to fish and Dave spent many fishing trips out with them. Dave did a lot of fishing on Lake Tamisking at New Liskard.
Dave was good friends with Harold Lilley and his wife Marion. He was also great friends with Dave and Linda Mitchell (Harold Lilley’s Daughter). The Lilleys and Mitchells were beekeepers in the New Liskard area that also migrated to Vineland at the same time that the MacMillians were there. Tim and Chris (Linda’s daughter) Greer now run the Lilley Bee operation.
Because of health problems Dave moved back to southern Ontario and reduced his bees to about 35 hives. When he died he had built that back up to 75. Dave became an OMARFA Bee Inspector while in New Liskard and carried on with that role in Brant, Wellington and Waterloo Counties where he worked with Henry Kornelsen until he died.
Dave had many friends in the beekeeping world and he will be missed. I appreciated Dave very much and I will miss our friendship.
Doug McRory
"For field work through the Apiculture Program, Dave was one of the very best inspectors I have had the pleasure to work with. He was reliable,
experienced and had attention to detail. Dave’s work ethic set an example to many in the program, including myself. I will miss working with Dave and I regret that I didn’t have more time to work with and learn from him."
Paul Kozak
SHB in Manitoba
Thursday, September 27, 2012
The bad news is that we found another adult beetle yesterday in a neighbouring beekeepers operation, the good news is that it appears to be more typical in size so positive identification should be easier. This beetle was found approx 1 mile from the Canada-US border in generally vicinity as the previous finds. The beetle was found through visual inspection of both the bottom board and cover. Because the single brood chamber hives had been fed extensively for preparation for winter, it was very difficult to pull frames, so we limited do the hives where we found a beetle. The inspection involved removing the covers to all the inspected hives to allow light exposure. The brood chamber was then removed from the bottom board and placed in the lid. The bottom board was inspected and the brood chamber was relocated back on the bottom board and the cover was inspected. We inspected two apiary sites yesterday belonging to beekeeper B. The first was approx 1 mile from the original SHB positive beeyard belong to beekeeper A. The second was approx 1 mile from the border and approx 8 miles from the beekeeper A’s positive beeyard. During the inspection of beekeeper A’s three beeyards, we inspected 100% of the colonies in those yards. This was relatively easy because the majority were on screen bottom boards and the hives were still not plugged up with winter feed. In the case of beekeeper B, we inspected approx 50% of the colonies.
Primarily because the brood chambers were cheated to the bottom boards and the hives were full of feed. We have contacted CFIA about the new find and they have asked for the specimen to be sent to one of their labs for ID.
Beekeeper B is now under quarantine similar to beekeeper A, but given the time of year beetle movement and hive movement would likely be none
existent. Other than the fact that both beekeepers winter indoors, so from these sites the hives will go straight into a building.
Rhéal Lafrenière M.Sc. P. Ag.
Business Development Specialist - Provincial Apiarist, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Ag. Services Complex Bldg. 204-545 University Cres. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 5S6
Phone: (204) 945-4825 Fax: (204)945-4327 Cell (204) 791-0124
e-mail:
Health Canada - Ontario Bee Incidents
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
2012 - Update
This spring, beginning in April 2012, incidents of bee mortality were reported by beekeepers across southern Ontario. Timing and location of these incidents appears to have generally coincided with corn planting. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has been working with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) to evaluate the role pesticides may have played in these bee losses. Initial analyses of the circumstances surrounding the bee losses indicate that there was no pesticide misuse.
Samples of affected bees were taken at many incident locations and are being analyzed for specific pesticide residues by the PMRA laboratory services. To date, residue analysis has been completed for 104 bee samples, as well as some samples of pollen and vegetation. Analysis is currently underway for an additional set of bee samples. Preliminary residue results show that insecticides used to treat corn seed were detected in approximately 70% of the dead bee samples analyzed.
Based on the preliminary information evaluated to date, there is an indication that pesticides used on treated corn seeds may have contributed to at least some of the 2012 spring bee losses that occurred in Ontario, however, there is still additional information being collected for consideration and final conclusions have not been made. We are looking closely at the specific circumstances that may have contributed to the unusual number of bee mortalities this spring.
The PMRA (assisted by MOE) is continuing to gather information for the purpose of determining the role pesticides may have played in the bee losses, how exposure occurred, and to determine what steps can be taken to prevent future bee losses. Information is being collected from affected bee yard owners/operators to help in the evaluation. Furthermore, the PMRA and MOE staff are contacting owners/operators of agricultural land in the vicinity of certain affected bee yards to collect details on agricultural activities including: crops grown, seeding dates, seed treatments, planting equipment, planting practices used, pesticide applications, weather conditions at the time of planting and other factors that may have played a role in the bee losses.
Once all current samples have been analyzed and available details gathered from the affected bee yards and adjacent agricultural land owners, a final analysis of the results will be conducted. A report will be made available, which will include information on the findings of the evaluation as well as the PMRA’s final conclusions.
In the interim, the PMRA will take additional steps to further protect pollinators from potential pesticide exposure, and is working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and other Canadian and international regulatory partners towards this goal. Work is ongoing to ensure that additional safety measures and best management practices to reduce pollinator exposure to treated seed dust are developed and communicated to beekeepers, agricultural producers and other stakeholders prior to the next planting season.
Pesticides used on treated corn.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
From: Conference for Can. Assn. of Professional Apiculturists
To: CAPA-L@LISTSERV.UOGUELPH.CA
Pesticides used on treated corn seeds “may” have contributed to “at least some of the 2012 spring bee losses that occurred in Ontario,” Health Canada has told Better Farming via email. The email, from Health Canada media relations officer Sara O’Dacre, says other factors are being considered and that “final conclusions” have not been made. “Given the large number of potential factors involved, Health Canada, along with its provincial colleagues, is continuing to examine other factors, including overall bee health, agriculture practices and environmental conditions,” the email says. In early summer, the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) began a re-evaluation of a group of insecticides used to protect seeds and crops from insects because more than 100 incidents of acute poisoning symptoms were reported to the PMRA and the provincial environment and agriculture ministries. Most occurred in southwestern Ontario. The products being re-evaluated are clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid. They are all neonicotinoid insecticides, a class of insecticides that act on the central nervous system of insects and can kill bees. The re-evaluation covers these active ingredients and their associated products registered in Canada. Imidacloprid was already being re-evaluated when the agency announced the review of the other two, PMRA says.
http://www.betterfarming.com/online-news/corn-seed-treatment-%E2%80%98may%E2%80%99-be-connected-bee-deaths-health-canada-11057
National Bee Diagnostic Centre Opens at Beaverlodge, Alberta
Sunday, September 9, 2012
BEAVERLODGE, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - September 05, 2012) - Here in the heart of the Peace Country, long known as one of Canada's major honey-producing regions, there is heartfelt celebration at the completion of the National Bee Diagnostic Centre, a new laboratory under the management of Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) located at the Beaverlodge research farm of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The occasion was marked today by a ribbon-cutting celebration, and honoured by the presence of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification and Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for Peace River, among the attending dignitaries.
Funding to establish the new National Bee Diagnostic Centre was provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Alberta Rural Development Fund, and GPRC. The $2.2 million project included a new building and diagnostic equipment. Two members of the scientific team are already in place, and GPRC is working on finalizing details as equipment is installed. Diagnostic services are expected to begin within the next few weeks.
"Our Government recognizes the significant role of the beekeeping industry in contributing to the overall health of our agricultural sector and supporting jobs in communities across Western Canada," said Minister Yelich. "Today's opening will help ensure the continued strength of our bee and honey industry, while enabling beekeepers to access the resources they need to grow their businesses and remain competitive."
The Centre, which is located next to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Beaverlodge Research Farm, will be the only one of its kind in Canada to offer a wide range of comprehensive services to beekeeping businesses all under one roof. It will focus on detecting and diagnosing the health of honey bees, providing scientific support to facilitate the importing and exporting of bees, and preventing or reducing winter losses. The Centre is expected to perform approximately 1,500 diagnostic services each year for businesses and other clients. These services will help increase the growth, international competitiveness and profitability of this important industry.
"We are proud to work with Grande Prairie Regional College to support research and promote the health of honey bees," said MP Warkentin. "As
Alberta accounts for 40 per cent of the nation's honey production, our Government's investment is ensuring our province continues to be a top
producer of high quality honey."
The opening of the National Bee Diagnostic Centre now positions Alberta as a global leader in beekeeping research and diagnostic technology, and will have a critical impact on the continued health of the bee and honey industry while fostering the continued growth of beekeeping businesses here and around the world.
"This facility is a very welcome opportunity for our region and our College," said Don Gnatiuk, GPRC President and CEO. "More than that, this
project is of great importance to food production industries throughout the country and around the world. We are privileged to be a participant in this significant scientific project, and fully committed to its success."
For more info, contact Kamie Currie, Project Officer, Rural Alberta Development Fund
A Saskatchewan Product is Launched ... into SPACE!!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Astronauts living on the International Space Station at the end of 2012 will taste a
little Saskatchewan flare. Trails End Bison Ranch's Buffalo Stix - Cranberry Craze
was one of several food products selected for an upcoming space mission. Proud
owners Kevin and Judy Wilkinson are excited to have their healthy meat snack with
added cranberries as part of the astronauts in-flight menu. Talk about exploring
new markets!!
The Buffalo Stix are high in protein, low in fat, no trans fat, and is higher in
iron compared to beef or pork jerky. They are sold at over 60 schools in Western
Canada, at the Saskatchewan Made Marketplace and online.
Trails End Bison Ranch is located in the boreal forest on the shores of Turtle Lake,
Saskatchewan.
East and West Differences, plus Virus and Disease Differences
Saturday, August 25, 2012
From the desk of Dr. Medhat Nasr Alberta Provincial Apiculturist, Pest Surveillance Branch
Research and Innovation Division
Agriculture and Rural Development
17507 Fort Road NW Edmonton, AB T5Y 6H3 Canada
Tel:780-415-2314 Tel: 780-415-2314
Fax: 780-422- 6096
E-mail:medhat.nasr@gov.ab.ca
East and West Differences, plus Virus and Disease Differences. CCD is not as simple as we hoped.
Kim Kaplan, Chief, Special Projects Information Staff Agricultural Research Service U.S. .D. A
Honey bees that succumb to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) carry a colony-specific group of three or four pathogens that tend to be unique to
different geographic regions, according to a new study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists.
The paper, published this week in PLoSOne, is available online at:
http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0043562.
The most distinct difference in the makeup of the pathogen clusters was found between CCD-struck colonies in the eastern and western United States.
In samples from eastern apiaries, the grouping tended to be all viruses. In the west, it was a mix of viruses and Nosema species, which are gut
parasites. Specifically, Nosema apis and acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV)were linked with CCD colonies from western states, while these species were extremely rare in eastern honey bee colonies regardless of the presence of CCD.
Interestingly, collapsing colonies also differed overall from each other in the predominant pathogens, suggesting that these pathogens were lucky hitchhikers on the path to colony ruin, without any single factor being a consistent cause of collapse.
The largest single class of pathogens found in hives with CCD was RNA viruses, which are very small viruses associated with the mitochondria of
host cells.
Each pathogen was present in some healthy colonies, but not at the levels found in CCD-struck colonies. The study confirmed an earlier finding, based on a small number of samples, that honey bee colonies showing CCD symptoms
had significantly higher pathogen levels than colonies from apiaries that reported no CCD.
An association of RNA viruses and Nosema with CCD has been previously reported after studies of a small number of colonies, but this was the
largest analysis of honey bee hives yet conducted.
The study describes genetic traits for several novel RNA viruses, and for other microbes associated with the hives that might have positive or negative effects on bee health.
More than 100 hives from nine states-California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Washington-were
sampled between 2004 and 2008 and then analyzed for this study.
The geographic differences also indicate that it is unlikely that any single recognized agent is responsible for CCD, making the search for unifying predictors more complicated, according to ARS entomologist Jay Evans at the agency's Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Md. Evans co-led the study with ARS research associate Scott Cornman, and with help from colleagues Jeff Pettis and Judy Chen at the Beltsville lab. Researchers from the University of Maryland and North Carolina State University were also part of the team, which received support from ARS and the National Honey Board.
ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief intramural scientific research agency.
Honey Exports
Monday, August 20, 2012
Click here for more info
Honey Imports
Monday, August 20, 2012
Click here for more info
A Guide to Identifying Food Products - CFIA
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will soon propose new regulations designed to improve the oversight of imported food products. These new regulations would require importers to have a licence. To help importers understand if they would be affected, CFIA has published on its website A Guide to Identifying Food Products Affected by the Proposed Imported Food Sector Product Regulations. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/eng/1334784241708
This Guide will help importers broadly determine if the proposed regulations would apply to their products. It has been prepared as a reference document only. For more information, visit www.inspection.gc.ca
Canadian Honey Council and Ontario Beekeepers meet with Parliment
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Canadian Honey Council and Ontario Beekeepers meet with Parliment to discuss recent pesticide incidents. Here is the link to the Parliamentary AG Committee hearings.
http://parlvu.parl.gc.ca/Parlvu/TimeBandit/PowerBrowser.aspxContentEntityId=9163&EssenceFormatID=873
