A national comprensive approach to bee health

- Stakeholder Workshop Ottawa, Ontario -

OTTAWA, March 31, 2014 /CNW/ - The necessity to take a comprehensive look at the various factors impacting bee health in Canada brought together a diverse group of stakeholders at a Bee Health Workshop in Ottawa.

"Bees are critical to both our economy and our ecosystem," said Rod Scarlett Bee Health Workshop chair & executive director of the Canadian Honey Council. "That is why beekeepers, farmers, agronomists, scientists, government and other partners are working on this together. We know if we develop a national and inclusive approach, everyone will be better off.  If we can't work together, everyone will lose something because so much is at stake."

The national workshop held this week, was the next step in ensuring all parties with a stake in bee health can collaborate on solutions. Participants included beekeeper groups, grain, horticulture and organic farm groups, chemical and seed industry representatives, federal and provincial governments and bee health experts.

The need and opportunities for Canada's beekeepers are expected to continue to grow and this group of stakeholders is committed to working together to find positive outcomes for pollinator health as well as agricultural production.

"Bees are an important part of agriculture. Grain farmers are pleased with this opportunity to work with beekeepers, scientific experts and governments to promote the health of bees," said William Van Tassel, workshop attendee and first vice-president of la Fédération des producteurs de cultures commerciales du Québec. "A commitment to a co-ordinated, comprehensive national focus on honey bee health is the right approach."

The group has agreed to continue to meet in a collaborative manner.

Participating Organizations - Bee Health Workshop

Canadian Honey Council

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists

Grain Growers of Canada

Canadian Horticultural Council

Canadian Organic Growers

President - Alberta Beekeepers Commission

Canadian Seed Trade Association

la Fédération des producteurs de cultures commerciales du Québec

Grain Farmers of Ontario

CropLife Canada

Fédération des apiculteurs du Québec

Canadian Seed Growers Association

Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Canola Council of Canada

Ontario Apple Growers

Bee Operations - Oxford Frozen Foods Ltd

BC Blueberry Council

Federal government representatives from:
Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Ag and Ag Food Canada

Provincial government representatives from:
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and the North West Territories

SOURCE: Canadian Honey Council

Debra Conlon
Manager, Government Relations
Grain Farmers of Ontario
226-821-4199

Rod Scarlett
Executive Director
Canadian Honey Council
780-498-0231