The Official Magazine of the Canadian Honey Council, The ...€¦ · The Official Magazine of the...

February 2013Vol 26 # 1

Apimondia Symposium 2012 Queen Breeding, Selection and Honey Bee Health

Canadian Honey Council Annual Meeting, Quebec City 2012

PMRA Discuss Pesticide Incidents in Ontario

www.honeycouncil.ca

The Official Magazine of the Canadian Honey Council, The Canadian Beekeeper and The Canadian Honey Packer

2013

1

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HiveLights February 2013 1

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40031644ISSN 1489-730X

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Canadian Honey Council #36 High Vale Crescent Sherwood Park, AB T8A 5J7

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The opinions expressed in the articles printed in Hivelights are those of the authors and do not imply endorsement of the Canadian Honey Council for the promotion of any product, goods or services mentioned unless specifically stated.

Field Editor .......................................Doug McRory

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Advertising enquiries ............................. Geoff Todd

Publisher .......................... Bunker to Bunker Books

Printed in Canada

HiveLightsHiveLightsFebruary 2013 Vol 26 #1

Dead bees at entrance to hive.Photo: Jim Campbell, Stonewall, MB

Table of Contents

3 Canadian Honey Council Report ...................................... Rod Scarlett

3 CO-OP Honey Packer Report ...................................... Bernie Rousseau

5 2013 CHC Directors 5 Canadian Honey Council Convention and Annual Meeting ......................................................................... Geoff Todd

7 CHC Annual General Meeting .......................................... Rod Scarlett

11 Regional Reports .........................................................................CHC Directors 17 Canadian Honey Trade and Production Statistics Overview ......................................Stephen Page

20 The Fred Rathje Award Winner 201221 Willy Baumgartner Memorial Award Winner23 CAPA Statement on Honey Bee Wintering Losses in Canada 2012 ....................................................................... CAPA

26 CAPA 2012 Year End Chemical Committee Report .........................................................................Geoff Wilson

29 Call for Research Proposals ........................................... Bernie Rousseau

30 Opportunity for the Canadian Beekeeping Industry to Establish Compensation for Bee Kills ................................................................................................. Doug McRory

32 World News34 Classifieds

Hivelights - The Magazine of the Canadian Honey Council is printed with all natural vegetable based inks. Please recycle this magazine.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The colour of the spine of Hivelights has changed to red for 2013 to match the international code for marking queens. A quick way to remember the code:

When White 1/6

You Yellow 2/7

Requeen Red 3/8

Get the Green 4/9

Best Blue 5/0

Proud sponsor of the Canadian Honey Council


Canadian Honey Council Report Rod Scarlett, Executive Director, CHC

With the new year now upon us, it is time to reflect on the recent accomplishments of the Canadian Honey Council. First and foremost I think it fair to say was the very successful hosting of the Apimondia Symposium on Queen Breeding, Selection and Honey Bee Health. Over 380 registrants participated in engaging discussions and presentation, viewed an array of tradeshow booths, participated in workshops and tours and most importantly enjoyed the hospitality of Quebec City lead by Pierre Giovenazzo and CHC rep Scott Plante. With a top notch lineup of presenters, Pierre Giovenazzo ensured everyone in attendance was able to gather information not easily accessible to beekeepers. Special congratulations go out to John Van Alten, winner of the Fred Rathje Memorial Award and Emile Houle, winner of the first ever Willie Baumgartner Memorial Award.

The Canadian Honey Council had their AGM and aside from passing budgets and approving some resolutions, congratulations need to be extended to Gerry McKee on his re-election as Chair.

Gerry has worked very hard at ensuring that the Board of the CHC stay on target and work cooperatively on issues for the betterment of all beekeepers across Canada. Gerry is now working with a new Executive consisting of Kevin Nixon as Vice Chair, Bryan Ash as Treasurer and Scott Plante as

Secretary.

Since the AGM, there have been a few initiatives that the CHC has focussed on. The CFIA, together with the CHC are doing some preliminary work concerning melter honey and a committee has bee struck to work on the issue. In addition, a committee has been formed with CFIA, provincial apiarists, and CHC representatives to investigate and formulate a national policy regarding small hive beetle. The CFIA has also been involved in consulting with industry regarding container sizes and beekeepers and packers continue to provide valuable input.

The Government of Canada released information concerning Growing Forward II programming and the Stock Replacement committee of the CHC will

be putting forward a funding application that will look at three main issues:

• Identification and survey of exotic and emerging pests in Canada (Baseline Study)

• Development of an integrated best beekeeping management system to manage important pests and improve honey bee health

• Communication and Technology transfer to beekeepers for implementing effective sustainable bee health management practices

The funding application represents a significant financial and time contribution by beekeepers, provincial apiarists and researchers and if successful, the CHC will be looking at ways to secure the financial commitments for the long term.

The National Bee Incident Committee continued to work cooperatively with beekeepers, industry, and government officials to come forward with recommendations to prevent pesticide incidents in Canada.

As we begin 2013, I wish to very best to all those support and work in, beekeeping in Canada.

CO-OP Honey Packer

Bee Maid Honey Limited is pleased to announce the launch of two unique products to the Candian marketplace.

Developed to meet the changing face of Canadian Consumers

• 72% of population growth over the next 20 years will come from visible minorities

•Visible minorities will account for 31% of Canada’s population by 2031

• Chinese community is one of the fastest growing segments

• Consumers purchase decisions are based on brand, emotional connection of the

Bernie Rousseau

product, flavour profile and value (in that order)

• Offering Choice to Consumers: - We chose to offer an amber honey to represent the first generation of Chinese families to come to Canada. We found these pioneers traditionally enjoyed a darker honey in China. We are also offering our white honey to celebrate the new generations of Chinese Canadians2012 – Celebrate Year of the Water Dragon

• We chose to launch our new line of products in the year of the water dragon to symbolize the blessings of harmony, riches and fulfillment. As the Dragon leads, success and prosperity are sure to follow!

• The yellow colour of the label corresponds with the Earth. In Chinese culture, it is considered the centre of all the elements and cosmos. Yellow brings

good luck, and is seen as nourishing, supporting, and reliable.

• Red was an obvious colour to bring good fortune and joy to our design. It adds the touch of luck every new adventure needs!2013 – Celebrate Year of the Water Snake

• In honour of the Chinese culture, we will be creating new labels each year based on the symbols of the Chinese calendar. Next year is the year of the water snake-an intelligent creature that is generous and kind.

BeeMaid 750Gr Chinese Label


2013 Directors Canadian Honey Council

Conseil Canadien de Miel

Chair

Gerry McKeeBC Honey Producers AssociationMcKee’s Bees5430 Portland StreetBurnaby BC V5J 2R4ph. [email protected]

Vice Chair

Kevin NixonAlberta Beekeepers

Box 28, Site 8, RR4

Innisfail, AB T4G 1T9

ph. 403-227-0092

email: [email protected]

Treasurer

Bryan Ash Manitoba Beekeepers AssociationAsh ApiariesBox 297Gilbert Plains, MB R0L 0X0ph. 204-548-2036 fax 204-548-2122email: [email protected]

SecretaryScott PlanteFederation des Apiculteurs du Québec 2369 chemin LambertSt-Nicolas, PQ G7A 2N4ph. [email protected]

DirectorCalvin ParsonsSaskatchewan Beekeepers AssociationBox 44Meskanan, SK S0K 2W0ph. [email protected]

Director

Grant HicksBox 181McLennan, AB T0H 2L0ph. 780-324-3688email: [email protected]

DirectorBernie RousseauBeeMaid Honey

13407 – 136 Ave. NW

edmonton, AB T5L 4B4

ph. 780-454-1391

Cel: 780-907-6777

[email protected]

Director

Doug McRory187 dawn Ave.Guelph, oN N1G 5J9ph. 519-823-8191email: [email protected]

Director

Paul VautourMaritime Beekeepers AssociationAcadien Apiaries Ltd.488 Cape Breton RoadSaint-Philippe, NB e1H 1W2ph. [email protected]

CHC OFFICE

Executive DirectorRod Scarlett#36 High Vale CrescentSherwood Park, AB T8A 5J7ph. 877-356-8935cell [email protected]

2013 Directors Canadian Honey Council

Conseil Canadien de Miel

Membership in CHC

National organizations with a vested interest in honey bees, in addition to the existing provincial beekeeper organizations, are eligible for membership in the Canadian Honey Council. Applications are subject to review by the CHC Membership Committee. Those associations that meet established criteria are then considered for approval by the Board of Directors. Application form available from CHC office.

Hivelights Magazine Editorial and Advertising

Geoff Todd ph. 403-475-3882 [email protected]

2013 Board of Directors

(left to right) Bernie Rousseau, Kevin Nixon, Bryan Ash, Gerry McKee, Calvin Parsons, Scott Plante, Grant Hicks, Paul Vautour, Doug McRory

Contact Peter Mewett | Phone: 613.395.3225 | Fax: 613.395.1835Email: [email protected] | www.earlyqueenarrivals.com

Early Queen ArrivalsProviding queens to beekeepers since 2001

Queens from Australia and California• plan now for 2013• order early to ensure your requests• quality service and reasonable pricing for early season: splits, re-queening or pollination needs• shipping from Toronto - by air (Air Canada) to major Canadian centres - by courier (Priority Post) to Ontario destinations

Arrival dates through

April and May. Confirm final

orders by March 23, 2013

Canadian Honey Council Convention and Annual Meeting

PMRA discusses pesticide incidents in

Ontario.

6 February 2013 HiveLights


Canadian Honey CouncilAnnual General MeetingWednesday, November 14, 2012Quebec CityAttendees- Gerry McKee, Kevin Nixon, Lee Townsend, Calvin Parsons, Bernie Rousseau, Bryan Ash, Doug McRory, Scott Plante, Paul Vautour

1. Called to Order at 9:12 Moved by Paul VautourSeconded by Lee TownsendThat the Board of Directors recognize this meeting as an AGM and that any by-law prerequisites be considered met.Carried

2. Approval of the AgendaAdd – Resolution #3 – SaskResolution #4 – B.C.Moved by Calvin ParsonsSeconded by Kevin NixonThat the agenda be approved as amended.Carried

3. Approval of the Min-utes of the October 16, 2012 Board meetingMoved by Bernie RousseauSeconded by Scott PlanteThat the Minutes of the October 16, 2012 Board of Directors meeting be approved as circulated.Carried

4. Business arising from the Minutes a) Apimondia- Rod Scarlett reported that

there were approximately 350 registrants and about 200 banquet tickets sold.

b) Ontario pesticide incident – Kevin Nixon indicated that the Bee Incident Committee has a meeting scheduled with a number of speakers appearing before the committee. There has been a couple of conference call to discuss possible agenda items. Doug McRory met with CropLife to view the BMP slides and there will be a CropLife – PMRA meeting on December 13th. It was noted that Board members are invited to observe the committee meeting.

c) Symposium Project – Bryan Ash indicated that much of the information will be included in his committee report.

d) Melter Honey Committee – Calvin Parsons, Bernie Rousseau, Tim Townsend and Rod Scarlett will represent the CHC on the committee

e) Rathje/Baumgartner Awards Moved by Doug McRory Seconded by Scott Plante That the Fred Rathje Award be presented to

John Van Alten and the Willie Baumgartner Memorial Award be presented to Emile Houle.

Carried

f) ResolutionsConsidérant les efforts déployés par les producteurs québécois au fil des années pour se doter d’une structure et d’un code d’éthique en pollinisation;L’assemblée des membres demande au représentant de la FAQ au Conseil canadien du miel, de sensibiliser ses homologues des autres provinces au sujet du code d’éthique et du barème de prix mis en place par les apiculteurs québécois au fil des années.Sur motion dûment proposée par M. André Allard, appuyée par M. Raphaël Vacher, la résolution est adoptée à l’unanimité. Rough translation Resolution 2011-03: Code of ethics and scale of price in pollination Considering the efforts made by the Québécois producers to obtain a structure and a code of ethics in pollination in the past; The assembly of the members asks the representative of the FAQ to the Canadian Council of honey, to sensitize his counterparts of the other provinces about the code of ethics and of the scale of price set up by the Québécois bee-keepers in the past.

Scott Plante explained the background and suggested a wording change to read:Be It Resolved that the Canadian Honey Council investigate the promotion of a strong pollination standard across Canada.Moved by Scott PlanteSeconded by Calvin Parsons

Carried

Resolution 22012-1. Renaming the Canadian Honey Council executive positions.WHEREAS the Canadian Honey Council currently uses the terms of "Chair, Vice-Chair,

Secretary, and Treasurer" for its four executive positions;BE IT RESOLVED Canadian Honey Council adopt the terms of "Chair, 1st Vice-Chair, 2nd Vice Chair, and 3rd Vice Chair" for its four executive positions.Moved by Lee TownsendSeconded by Kevin NixonCarried

Resolution 3Be It Resolved that all committee Chairs of the Canadian Honey Council be current Directors officially representing their organizations.Withdrawn

Resolution 4Be It Resolved That the Canadian Honey Council open a portion of the AGM (resolutions) to the provincial membership to witness as observers.Moved by Gerry McKeeSeconded by Lee TownsendCarried

5. Financial Report Available from CHC in February.

6. New Businessa) Small Hive Beetle – Tim Greer, Calvin

Parsons, Scott Plant, and Bryan Ash will represent the CHC on the CFIA committee being struck.

b) Geoff Todd Contracts – The budget approval signifies the contracts with Geoff Todd.

c) Honey Packers meeting – Rod Scarlett and Bernie Rousseau indicated that there has been some interest shown in the possibility of meeting with honey packers to encourage the promotion of the domestic use of honey. Executive members were encouraged to talk with Guy Chartier of BeeMaid to get further background.

d) OBA request – The response letter was sent to John van Alten.

e) Canada/Japan consultationsMoved by Scott PlanteSeconded by Calvin ParsonsThat Lee Townsend represent the CHC in the discussions.Carried

7. Committee ReportsStock Replacement – Bryan Ash submitted the following:Stock replacement committee, Provincial Apiculturists, CAPA, and CFIA worked hard again this year to ensure a continued safe importation of queens and packages. This year there were no reported issues of SHB in


regards to imported queens from Hawaii.

From the stock replacement symposium held in January 2012, importing will remain a reality both from demand and genetic positions in queens and packages. Caution needs to be taken into consideration as to the countries that imports come from in relation to diseases and pests. Levels of risk need to be assessed and acceptable thresholds developed. Domestic self-sufficiency is important to beekeepers across Canada. In short-term this is not feasible due to high winter losses, insecticide damage, etc. but should be the goal of CHC as we lead the industry forward. Protocols (import/export) need to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and CHC need to continue to be involved in this process from the start to finish. Our committee achieves this thru communication to CFIA, CAPA, and provincial apiculturists. Baseline health, economics, and demand studies need to be developed. The committee is working towards the creation of a bee health disease/best baseline survey to determine the health status of our industry.

Thus the below committee was struck.

Bee Disease/pest committee

This committee is a result of the stock replacement committee asking Gerry McKee and Rod Scarlett to put a group together to look at how we could do a base line survey of honey bee pest and diseases in Canada. It turns out that Myself & Jerry Poelman are co-chairing along with Medhat Nasr, Steve Pernal, Ernesto Guzman, Claude Boucher, Gerry McKee.

We started by getting a copy of and then discussed the US honey bee pest/disease survey. Had a conference call to discuss the US honey bee pest/disease survey and the group thought it best to perhaps create our own version. Group decided to split into two working groups. Carlos Castillo, Steve Pernal, Ernesto Guzman, Claude Boucher to work on the Canadian Version of a honeybee pest/disease survey. Bryan Ash, Jerry Poelman, Medhat Nasr, Gerry McKee, Rod Scarlett to ask CFIA for input, and to ask CFIA if they accept or recognize the US honey bee pest/disease survey.Note: It took from May to September to get a copy of the US honey bee pest/disease survey, and also took CFIA into October to write back a response.

Carlos sent out a Canadian Honeybee pest/disease version for comment.Myself , Jerry Poelman, Medhat Nasr, and Rod Scarlett had a conference call to discuss and commented the following:

Myself, Jerry Poelman, Medhat Nasr, and Rod Scarlett have discussed your draft National Surveillance of honey bee document.To begin with I want to state that the executive of the National Baseline Study committee appreciates the initial work you have done. While the existing proposal outline is very comprehensive there are a couple items that should be included in order to move forward. 1. We have heard loud and clear that industry demands a disease profile that is Canada wide, with data results to industry in less than one year. Basically a quick snap shot of our industry.2. We feel the sampling should be a priority on the following diseases/pests 1. Africanization 2. Viruses as listed in your proposal 3. Exotic Pests as listed in you proposal 4. Small hive beetle3. Sampling. Who to sample, how, and types of samples, cost of sampling, logistics and labs to use, all need to be discussed further.We need to get confirmation from CFIA on approved sampling techniques to move ahead on this issue. Thru contact with Amy it appears we should be seeing something shortly.Year 2,3,4,5 could entail greater detail and confirm findings from year 1 as well as include the additional test you identified in your proposal. As you may be aware, our committee was struck from a bee symposium in Winnipeg earlier this year and has been mandated to get a quick disease profile of Canada. Importation and exportation of healthy bees is a priority, finding potential new suppliers of health bees included.

CFIA response letter

The role of the CFIA with respect to honeybee issues is generally limited to facilitating international trade. You raised the question as to whether or not the proposed survey could be useful for the purposes of international trade. From the import perspective, it would be beneficial to have information as to the status of the bee health within Canada in order to continue to maintain import requirements that may be subject to international scrutiny. From the export perspective, a well designed survey could be useful in negotiations, but to date, no specific requests for such a survey have been made. Also commented it is hard to guarantee whether or not any given country will accept surveillance work that is done in Canada as part of the negotiation process. However CFIA would support the use of a honeybee health survey for use in communication with international trading partners if the survey meets the standard for and is published in a recognized, peer-

reviewed scientific journal.

CFIA encourages CHC work with provincial apiculturists and academia to determine what the specific parameters of a Canadian Survey should be.

Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba have provincial vets that have offered us support as of lately.As you see this is still a work in progress. This group will be meeting Wednesday evening in Quebec to further discuss the work in progress.Once the group has completed the baseline disease/pest survey it will be presented to the stock replacement committee for comment and then onto CHC directors for approval to proceed.Note that the buyer and seller component of the website needs to identify bees, equipment and manpower separately.

Hive Health Committee – No reportLabour Committee – Lee Townsend submitted the following

The CHC Labour Committee was relatively quiet in 2012, due to the fact that the changes to the foreign workers programs seemed to help employers more than delay them. There were the normal delays when hiring workers from the Philippines and Nicaragua, but these seem to have been corrected with both SAWP and the TFWP being moved to the Ag Stream by HRSDC. Recent reports are that LMO’s are being approved for Filipino workers in less than a week, which is a substantial improvement over the 8-16 week wait some employers were experiencing. This does not mean there will be no delays when hiring under the TFWP, as the embassies in the countries of origin are still very slow in processing the applications. We hope this will improve, but unfortunately this situation is out of both CHC’s and the federal government’s hands it seems. Anyone hiring workers from non-SAWP countries will be included in the federal governments new 4 in 4 out rule that took effect in April of 2012. So far it seems that the federal government will be using the workers actual time spent working in Canada rather than using their work permit dates. In order for this to work, it is imperative that the employers do the following each year before the workers return to their home country:• Scan their passport and work permit• Keep a copy of both their arrival and

departure boarding passes• Keep detailed financial copies of the workers’

pay historyIf an employer does not do the following listed above, they run the risk of CIC using


the dates on the workers work permit when determining when their 4 years in Canada has run out. There is still work being done by the agricultural industry on this, as industry is still looking for an exemption for seasonal ag workers as well as looking for clarification on what counts towards the workers 4 years out of Canada (eg. Will the workers time spent back home in the off season count towards their time out of Canada, etc.)There is still a problem with workers coming in under the TFWP deciding to stay in Canada once their work has completed. This is a continuing issue for our industry as there is very little an employer can do legally when a worker decides to do this. We are continuing to look for solutions to this problem.SAWP has also undergone some changes in the past month or so. For 2013, all SAWP applications will be processed in Simcoe, Ontario. The rationale for this, as explained to us, is that this will streamline the program going forward. As employers were having their LMO’s approved days after submitting them, and the workers would arrive within a week of the LMO being approved, it’s uncertain how the program could be streamlined further and we hope this move will not cause delays in the program. There was also an issue this past summer with the Mexican consulate office in Calgary. The person in charge of the SAWP program in that office “quit” unexpectedly and wound up taking data in that office surrounding the program. This caused a great deal of confusion in the consulate as the people hired to take over did not understand how SAWP worked and had no background data to work from. As a result, they are requesting that employers submit all the information they have regarding returning workers when they apply in 2013 (SAWP identification number, passport number, previous work permit number, BOD, address, phone numbers, etc.) There was also a change in SAWP medical insurance in 2012 (at least in Alberta), which caused some problems as well. Cowan Insurance has since apologized for the problems and promised to correct the issues in their office so this doesn’t occur again in 2013. The 2013 wages are now available on the Working in Canada website. It looks like there has been a wage increase of 2% for all positions. Any employers that have already started advertising for 2013 are reminded to verify the wages listed in their ads are current in order to prevent their application from being rejected. There will be changes to the NOC codes as of 2014, and it appears that CHC will have to work with Service Canada to ensure we are not caught using inaccurate job descriptions. More information will be coming shortly to the committee on this issue.

Finally, a group was formed in Alberta this past year to deal with the numerous FW labour issues in Agriculture. The “Agriculture Industry Labour Council – Alberta” (AILCA) consists of every major agricultural user of foreign labour in the province, and has formed a very good communication channel with HRSDC in Alberta. While this group is dealing mainly with Alberta issues, it is becoming more apparent that Alberta’s issues are the same as the rest of the issues across Canada. I strongly recommend that CHC maintains an relationship with this group (which is chaired by a member of the Beekeepers Commission of Alberta).

Lee Townsend and Grant Hicks will discuss membership in the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Sector Council.

Membership and Events Committee – No reportBiosecurity – Gerry McKee indicated that the standards manual is just about complete and that posters and checklists will be distributed shortly.Food Safety – Lee Townsend submitted the following:

CHC has been busy on a number of Food Safety related items in 2012. CBISQT is finally ready for technical review, and hopefully once it’s through this review CHC will be able to distribute it to producers across Canada for use in their operations in early 2013. While CBISQT won’t be an audited program when released, it will be a recognized program by CFIA. CBISQT will be particularly useful for smaller producers that don’t want to register with CFIA but want to implement a recognized food safety program. Going forward, the hope is for CBISQT to be an audited program. This will take time though as auditors have to be hired/trained, and as our industry is very small this will be difficult to accomplish. The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act is slowly starting to take shape, and it will have a direct impact on Canadian producers looking to export their honey to the USA. As of October 2012, producers wishing to export to the USA must register with the FDA (http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm314178.htm). We are still unsure if the FDA will inspect every facility in Canada that is registered with them (some facilities have been inspected already), or if the FDA will honor the CFIA registration certificate. The bee repellant issue was also resolved by the CHC, CFIA and Health Canada in 2012. Both Butyric acid and Benzaldehyde will no longer be included in the mandatory list of items that CFIA tests Canadian honey for. That being said, CFIA did indicate that

if an inspector determines that the producer is abusing bee repellants, CFIA will test the honey samples that are taken. We still have not received an answer from CFIA as to what action they will take if and when this occurs. There was talk from CAPA that they would like to do an extensive study into what levels of bee repellants are found in honey both naturally and when used by the producer. At last report funding for this project was still being pursuedFinance - No Report

8. Executive Director`s Report No written report submitted. Executive Director needs to supply a written report for all meetings.

9. ElectionsDoug McRory nominated Gerry McKee for the position of Chair.Scott Plante secondedNo other nominations were received.Gerry McKee declared elected.

Paul Vautour nominated Kevin Nixon for the position of Vice-Chair.Lee Townsend seconded.No other nominations were received.Kevin Nixon was declared elected.

Lee Townsend nominated Scott Plante for the position of SecretaryKevin Nixon secondedNo other nominations were received.Scott Plante was declared elected.

Kevin Nixon nominated Bryan Ash for the position of TreasurerScott Plante secondedNo other nominations were received.Bryan Ash was declared elected.

Committee membership was then discussed.

Grant Hicks will now Chair the Hive Health committee and Doug McRory will be added.Scott Plante will Chair the membership in the Small Hive Beetle committee of CFIABernie Rousseau will be added to the Food Safety CommitteeCalvin Parsons will assist in the writing of the National Strategy documentLabour is status quoStock replacement is status quo.

10. Geoff Todd Geoff Todd talked about the new contract arrangement. He reminded Directors that


their reports are due on the 15th of December, March, June and September.

11. CAPA/CroplifeRheal Lafreniere and Geoff Wilson presented CAPA reports to the Board. Rheal Lafreniere provided a written report as follows:

I would like to welcome you all to “the 55th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA). I would like to extend a special thank you to Pierre Giovenazzo, Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ), Canadian Honey Council (CHC) and the CAPA members on the organizing committee for putting together what would appear to be an excellent convention of meetings, research symposia, workshops and tradeshow. It has been only 10 months since the last CAPA AGM in Winnipeg, but there is no shortage of things to discuss at this year’s meeting. CAPA’s import committee, chaired by Medhat Nasr had another busy year working with Provincial Apiarists and CFIA on import issues. None-the-less of which were to provide recommendations to CFIA for harmonizing the bee import protocols from various countries, to respond to the proposed changes to Australia’s surveillance and control program for Apis cerana and to respond to an import request to allow queens from Argentina. The committee also worked to review the export criteria for exporting genetic material to Chile and harmonizing the list of regulated pests and diseases in the Bee Acts across Canada. The committee was also prepared to go into action if problems with small hive beetle arose during the importation of queens from Hawaii. This year the protocol that was put into place last year appears to have averted any problem with small hive beetles entering Canada via queen shipments from Hawaii. More information on CAPA’s Import committee activities will be covered in the Import committee report.

The Chemical committee, chaired by Geoff Wilson also had another busy year. Working with Provincial Apiarists the committee chair took the lead again to submit another Emergency Use Registration for Apivar®. Fortunately PMRA was able to grant a conditional full registration for Apivar® after the EUR application was submitted making the EUR redundant. This committee was also involved in putting together the registration information for the use of acetic acid to decontaminate beekeeping equipment for nosema disease management but unfortunately

the project was severely impacted by federal cuts to PMRA, which will significantly affect the speed at which this project will proceed. The Chemical committee chair also worked closely with CFIA Honey Program personnel to look at the issue of bee repellent residues in honey and helping to define “melter honey”. More information on CAPA’s Chemical committee activities will be covered in the Chemical committee report.

Another standing committee that I know has strong leadership is the Research committee, chaired by Leonard Foster. In addition to pulling together the research activity reports, which is not an easy task, this committee will be called upon next year to coordinate a research priority setting workshop. This workshop is typically coordinated every five years, and although this year should have been the year to have this workshop with all of the activities associated with this year’s national meeting (i.e. Apimondia symposium and workshops), it was best to postpone the workshop till next year – Good luck Leonard and team.

I would like to thank the Awards committee and CBRF Directors for their hard work. Given that this year’s meeting is occurring in November, the final decisions on the student award and successful CBRF proposals will not be announced till after these meetings, but will certainly be communicated to the membership at a later date. There are also a number of Ad-hoc committees, which we will hear from as well. These committees do a tremendous job of keeping us informed as well as helping the association communicate to the public.

Case in point, I know how much of a struggle it was again this year to coordinate getting the survey information on wintering losses across Canada for the national winter loss report. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting this report out in a timely fashion. The committee is aware

of this and I vow to help the committee in any way I can to ensure that the survey report, is available to all that want it no later that the 1st of August. The 2012 Wintering Loss report is now posted on the new CAPA website: www.capabees.org. Thank you Paul Kozak and the National Survey committee and Andony Melathopoulos and communications committee, keep up the good work!!! The publication sales coordinator, Janet Tam certainly had a busy year and as it stands right now, we are virtually out of inventory for the Honey Bee Diseases and Pest (English version). Luckly, the new disease publication, which was contracted to Heather Clay to help coordinate along with Steve Pernal and committee, is very close to being completed. Thanks to all the contributors!

Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to thank my executive officers: Vice-president, Medhat Nasr; Secretary/Treasurer Chris Jordan and Past-President Steve Pernal for their hard work and council, it is a pleasure working with you!

Rhéal LafrenièreCAPA President


Maritimes

Honey production in the Maritime Provinces was

well below average, with only a few isolated areas reporting normal yields.

The cause was attributed to a dry spell throughout the area from mid-summer onward.

Nova Scotia reports 4000 bee colonies were brought in from Ontario for blueberry pollination and despite serious concerns, no Small Hive Beetle occurrence was detected. Some beekeepers note a possible benefit to having the importation then removal of the colonies as freeing up more bee pasture for local colonies. The pollination expansion program sponsored by the Provincial Government has increased the number of colonies by 700 and two small beekeepers are expanding to commercial status.

Prince Edward Island reports 7500 colonies were used for blueberry pollination – 1200 of which were imported from Nova Scotia. A recent decision has been made to open the PEI border to the importation of honey bees for wild blueberry pollination. Beekeepers

se vend entre 2.10$ et 2.25$ la livre, alors que le miel blanc semble se situer autour de 2.00$ la livre à la vente en gros.

La saison apicole se voit enfin forcée de ralentir suite à l’apparition de trois tempêtes hivernales cette semaine qui auront laissé au sol des accumulations d’environ deux pieds de neige. Ho! Ho! Ho! Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année à tous.

Ontario

Ontario has experienced a very easy fall to this point in time and the bees of been able to have several cleansing flights. The Tech Transfer Team reports that they were finding that there were high populations of Varroa mites in the honey bees this fall. It is felt that the long season especially for hives that were not split has led to greater time for buildup of Varroa mites. By the time that beekeepers treated the viruses were built up in the bees to destructive levels. There may be high winter losses as the result over the next winter.

The Ontario Beekeepers Association (OBA) meeting in November 2012 was exceptionally well attended as beekeepers were very concerned about pesticide kills that had occurred in the spring of 2012.

P pg 13

RegionalReportsare sharply divided on the question: one sector is adamantly opposed, contending that honey bee health on the island is being compromised; while the other is more conciliatory in recognizing the negative impact on crop pollination. The P.E.I. Government is considering an insurance program for over-wintering losses and also an expansion program to attain self-sufficiency.

The New Brunswick Government is continuing its bee expansion and infrastructure program. Several small beekeepers have begun to take advantage of the program. Beekeeping in the central area appears to be declining but initiatives in the Southeast area has produced renewed public interest and an increase in new beekeepers. Outside the generally accepted bee health issues (Varoa, Acaracide, Nosemea, etc.) there are no reported serious outbreaks in the province.

Québec

Beekeeping this year has been very interesting. We had a very early spring followed by a long and hot and dry summer, and an abnormally long fall. We still had bees in our

pollen feeders on the 24th of November. An interesting fact this year was that the bees, at the time of feeding, were already heavy with reserves. Needless to say there was a lot of sugar syrup to pick back up.

The honey price and demand remains strong at both the retail and wholesale level. Specialty honey such as blueberry sells for 2.10$ to 2.25$ a pound, while white honey seems to hovering around the two dollar range wholesale.

The bee season is finally winding down with the third snow storm of the week, bringing it to a total of over two feet of snow on the ground. Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

L’année apicole qui tire à sa fin fut des plus intéressantes. Nous avons eu un printemps tôt suivi d’un été long et sec, de plus l’automne fut anormalement long. Nous avions toujours des abeilles en date du 24 novembre qui volaient jusqu’au nourrisseur à pollen. Un fait intéressant cette année, c’est qu’au moment de nourrir, les ruches avaient déjà des réserves significatives de miel. Certains apiculteurs ont été dans l’obligation de récupérer le sirop qu’ils avaient versé en trop.

Le prix du miel demeure élevé autant à la vente au détail qu’à la vente en gros. Le miel de spécialité, comme celui de bleuet par exemple

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The second morning of the meeting was devoted to talks about honey bees and pesticides. Several of the speakers brought their varied points of view to the question. The pesticide companies were well represented at the meeting which demonstrated their concern over this situation. PMRA also had an update.

Dan Davidson was elected president of the OBA and has four priorities about the bee kills situation that he would like to see developed in his coming year. He would like to see a replacement for the present products that are used to treat corn seed. He feels that it is the association’s main priority to protect the honey bees. The next priority he would like to see compensation put in place for the beekeepers who have suffered loss in this situation. He feels that IPM for corn should be looked at closely to see if all areas need to be treated with pesticide as he has talked to OMAFRA specialists who say that only about two counties justify treating the corn seed at planting. He then would like to see best management practices developed that truly protect the bees and that they are enforced by some mechanism. The OBA is developing a position statement on the corn- bee kill situation which will be available for the next edition of Hivelites.

The OBA will seek to have a large committee involving the beekeepers, pesticide companies and growers along with the OMAFRA,

Alberta

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a great Christmas season. By now, some may be chomping at the bit to get back to business and go peak at some bees. In time I guess. We have actually had pretty steady winter weather here in Central Alberta since about November. Not a deep freeze, but the snow has not been totally gone since then. It will be interesting to see what the next month or two brings.

It has been a busy winter for myself and other board members carrying on with our committees, along with our respective provincial boards. And of course, there’s all the meetings and work of running our businesses along with that. Time is of high value these days.

As chair of the bee incident committee, I can tell you this committee has been very busy. There are many stakeholders involved in this issue, and the issue is much more complex than asking for compensation for suspected insecticide kill from pesticide manufacturers. A change of some kind needs to happen to prevent future incidents. If we truly want to reduce the risk of exposure to bees, we must put effort into working with the other stakeholders. This includes chemical manufacturers, seeding equipment manufacturers, applicators, growers, PMRA and even ourselves

can be found at www.manitobabee.org. Due to weather and road conditions the meeting was rescheduled resulting in a small turnout. The major resolutions dealt with Small Hive Beetle, open Barrel Feeding of medications, Pesticide/

Fungicide applicator questions, and the creation of a voluntary apiary site electronic

mapping system.

The Manitoba Beekeepers Association convention and tradeshow takes place March 1st & 2nd at the Radisson Hotel downtown Winnipeg. Registration forms and details are posted on the MBA website www.manitobabee.org.

Manitoba Agriculture Services Corporation and the MBA will be meeting to discuss and review the Overwinter Mortality Insurance program in March.

Beekeepers across the province are noticing a delay again this year with labour market opinion processing. Applications are taking 10-12 weeks to be reviewed.

Snow arrived early November with an above average quantity. Below average Cold temperatures set into Manitoba early.

Wishing everyone good health and a prosperous 2013.

Saskatchewan

No report available at this time.British Columbia P pg 15

MOE and PMRA specialists to work towards preventing the kills in the future. This committee will be similar to the one in Québec that effectively brought all interested parties together there.

It is also Ontario’s hope that Canadian Honey Council (CHC) will be able to negotiate a compensation package at the federal level for all beekeepers of Canada if they end up with a similar bee kill incident.

John Van Alten was given recognition as the outgoing President of OBA. (John had also received the Fred Rathje Award at the CHC Meeting in Quebec City).

Paul Kozak – Provincial Apiarist – received the Industry Research, Education and Service Award in recognition of the support, commitment and dedication he has shown to beekeeping in Ontario.

Gloria Congdon – OBA Member – received an award to recognize her contribution to the design of the past OBA logo. A new logo was unveiled at the OBA annual meeting this year.

Janet Tam – OBA Tech Transfer Program Specialist – received recognition of longstanding service and commitment for beekeepers’ interests and honey bee health as Janet retired from the Tech-Transfer Program this year.

Manitoba

Manitoba business meeting took place Nov 22nd and resulted in eight resolu-tions. The resolutions

Kevin Nixon

Bryan Ash


out, we will have some more news to bring from this committee and we may have an idea of how the bees are looking.

British Columbia

B.C.'s Fall was relatively warm and without excessive rain so the preparation of colonies for winter survival was a pleasant outdoor activity. There was ample flying days for collection of pollen and propolis. Most beekeepers with pollination contracts for the new year, added pollen patties as a form of insurance for greater brood production and winter survival.

The B.C. Honey Producer's AGM, Conference and Trade Show was in Kamloops, and the Kamloops Division had something for everyone. The three day event, November 8 – 10th, began with an evening Wine and Cheese Welcome, followed by the Business Meeting, an evening Banquet and the Saturday Educational Day. Between meetings and seminars, participants had ample time to visit the Trade Show with over 30 vendors and an attractive Honey, Wax and Mead competition where everyone was invited to vote for the popular People's Choice Awards.

The Honorable Norm Letnick, Minister of Agriculture opened the Business Meeting session along with Kamloops Mayor, Peter Milobar. The City of Kamloops is currently reviewing changes to their Bylaws to allow urban beekeeping. Minister Letnick announced that his Ministry has launched

a “Buy Local” promotional program to support local food producers in getting their message to consumers. The government will fund, on a first-come, first-served basis between $ 5,000 and $ 100,000 to producers and marketing boards which will need to match the grant.

One of the ongoing concerns of the Association's Executive is the decline in membership. Over the past ten years, membership has dropped from 700 to about 400 with a subsequent reduction in

revenue.

There has also been a decrease in the number of hives maintained, causing a further reduction from hive levies. This

situation is causing concern for the Board to sustain services to the members.

There were reports from several associated organizations. Dr. John Boone reported on the Boone, Hodgson Wilkinson Trust Fund's support of developing new tools for Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The Trust Fund is contributing to the marker-assisted selective breeding project conducted by Dr. Leonard Foster at the University of B.C. Brenda Jager outlined the progress of the B.C. Bee Breeder' s DAY (Duncan Assessement Yard) project. This project is essentially testing for quality characteristics of locally produced queens.

A synopsis of Jan Hardie's report on Financial Support for Bee Losses provided a fairly comprehensive review

as beekeepers. The focus of this committee is not limited to the corn seeding related incidents which were reported, but includes pesticides of all kinds. There have also been incidents reported in the prairies with use of foliar applications. All of these stakeholders have been engaged in a conversation over the past few months, if not directly by Honey Council, they have had conversations with some of the other stakeholders, on how to come up with some long term recommendations to reduce this risk. Unfortunately with this issue, there are no quick fixes, but I am also happy to share there have been some very productive discussions. I do believe there is commitment from these stakeholder groups to work with each other to achieve a common goal of beekeepers having healthy bees. We as beekeepers also need to be able to have a productive conversation with these groups. Compensation in one way or another is a part of this process, but to prevent future cases, there are other focus’ that need addressed as well. We need to be open minded and try to see others perspectives, at the same time, share our perspectives. If we want to make comments and recommendations to others stakeholders, we need to educate ourselves as to why they do things the way they do, and do our best to understand it and make comments that are accurate.

In my opinion, we have done a poor job of getting ourselves out there and being involved with some of these other sectors. Had we done this years ago, maybe we wouldn’t

be in the position we are today? I believe there is a lot of education we need to bring to these groups and the ones that our committee and work groups have met with over the past 6 months are more than willing to help get our message out there and listen. I would also really encourage beekeepers to communicate with your landowners more if you haven’t in the past.

I hear some people say that Honey Council isn’t representing their interests in regards to this issue. Honey Council is taking a preventative approach to this matter through education and mediation and as we have seen over the course of history in dealing with other situations, the best solution is to work together for the common good of all. Of course, for our committee, the common good of the beekeeping industry is to come up with recommendations and management practices to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure to bees BUT at the same time respecting the landowner to grow the crop he/she chooses on the land they own and have their livelihood tied up in to be a profitable business as well. Believe it or not, there are still farmers out there who comment to me, ‘really, all you do is keep bees. You must do something else. You can actually make a living by just keeping bees.’ This just goes to show the work we as an industry need to do.

I hope this year will be much better for people that have incurred these losses in the past, and hopefully everybody’s bees are wintering well. I guess by the time the next issue comes

Gerry McKee


of the existing Federal/Provincial Business Risk Management (BRM) programs which do not appear to meet the requirements of the B.C. beekeeping industry. Even though government agencies at both levels conducted reviews in 2010, there was no recommendation for change. The low BRM enrollment for B.C. was probably because of the limited returns for smaller businesses while the high participation in the prairie regions was due to the larger scale operations. In addition to advocating enrollment in the existing BRM programs, Jan Hardie suggested the membership must work together for the development of an unique program which clarifies the specifics of apiary management and costs. A formula needs to be developed for valuing hives

and bees throughout the year and including honey production as averages per year for different areas of the province. The need for a more specific beekeeping compensation program may also be of interest to commercial operators in other provinces.

Programs presented at the Educational Day were quite diverse and began with research investigations and concluded with business success in diversifying hive related products and services. Dr Stephen Pernal, chief research scientist at Canada's Beaverlodge Research Farm gave an update on the IPM projects for developing techniques to improve selection of disease/pest resistant bees through the use of protein markers and genetic selection. Dr Carlos

Castillo, the new Applied Science Manager at the National Bee Diagnostic Laboratory in Beaverlodge, outlined their primary testing services.

Brian Millward of Hosting Nation Data Inc. and Candice Appleby of the Small Scale Food Processor Association revealed the value of social media in marketing for honey producers, both in identifying potential customers and developing channels of communication by properly designed online presence.

Stephen Case presented his discovery of the power of honey in healing wounds and Ed Nowek of Planet Bee in Vernon, and Past President of CHC, revealed his companies success in diversifying a range of hive-related products and

services.

Although the growth potential for beekeeping in British Columbia seems limited in terms of potential forage for honey production and expanding pollination services, there are opportunities to increase profit margins by expanding value-added products and services.

One of my favourite take-away ideas, was Tim Townsend's statement “Industry Led and Government Approved” as he explained CHC's purpose in developing Canadian Beekeeping Industry's Standards, Quality and Traceability (C-BISQT) program to improve the handling of honey and protecting the high quality image of our Canadian brand.

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JJohn represents everything the Award stands for: entrepreneurship, personal service, and local, provincial and national industry leadership.

His company, Dutchman’s Gold was started by John in 1981 and has evolved through his and his wife, Alison’s, expertise to be one of Canada’s premier

brands of honey and other hive products. The company has recently undergone a significant expansion and moved to new

facilities to further expand their market presence.

But business success has never been the sole driver for John. He is known throughout his community as someone to count on, whether it is the annual 4H visits, or a tour and picnic for the local bee club or simply mentoring his employees to become successful beekeepers in their own right. (At least five of his former employees are now commercial beekeepers in Ontario.) John

THE FRED RATHJE AWARD WINNER 2012 - JOHN VAN ALTEN

is also a committed husband and father, working in partnership with his wife, Alison, and enjoying close relationships with his grown children and new son, Yuri, adopted from Russia in 2011.

And although no one running a business such as this and managing a growing family could be blamed for concentrating on their own back yard, John has given of himself unstintingly at the Provincial and National level as well. From representing Ontario at the Canadian Honey Council to being an active, long-term member of the board (now President) of the Ontario Beekeepers Association, there is scarcely an issue of importance to beekeeping that hasn’t benefitted from his steady hand and thoughtful voice. A few examples: In 2011, John accepted the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation for The Tech Transfer Program’s leadership in honey bee disease detection and prevention that was recognized for their key role in the selection of honey bee stock for disease resistance characteristics.

John has been front-and-centre in addressing emerging critical issues affecting beekeepers in Ontario and nationally. In 2010, Ontario found itself host to the small hive beetle. Since then,

John and the OBA have taken leadership in working with OMAFRA to institute a comprehensive bio-security control program to halt the spread of this pest while at the same time supporting the interests of beekeepers in the affected area and across the Province.

In 2012 reports of extensive bee poisoning related to corn seeding required major attention from him and the OBA board. This very fraught and difficult issue had many players, little certainty, and no consensus. John has handled it with care, focusing equally on ensuring a science-based position, as well as respecting the concerns of the full range of stakeholders. He has worked tirelessly with beekeepers, farmers, researchers, government policy makers and regulators (PMRA) and industry by meeting, convening, researching and searching for constructive approaches.

For John, there are no simple answers, no quick fixes to these emerging and difficult problems. The world doesn’t divide into ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’ for him. John is one of those unusual people who seek constructive solutions by listening, by looking at evidence, by bringing people together to find new ways forward. Throughout whatever process or issue he is involved with, however, John never forgets that it is beekeepers and bees whose interests he represents.


M

M

Mr. Emile Houle is a agriculturalist technician. He is a agricultural graduate of the Institute of Technology of St-Hyacinthe. He carried out an advanced training course in bee-keeping with Red Bâton in the United States. Now retired, Mr. Houle worked all his career as a technician in bee-keeping. He was initially employed with the ministry of the Agriculture of Quebec. In 1999, he transferred out of the ministry to research animal science at Descambault (CRSAD) where Mr.Houle continued its activities there. Mr. Houle is involved in all the levels of bee-keeping. Not only for the research tasks in the field or in the laboratory, but for the improvements in the mielleries (equipment of extraction or other), for the management of the apiaries, Mr. Houle has shown many qualities. In particular, he is a clever and generous man with his knowledge. It easily shares its experiments and the fruits of its findings with others, whether they are bee-keepers or researchers.

His knowledge in bee-keeping is continually being upgraded as Mr. Houle follows closely the beekeeping publications. He reads about the subject, and his comments often takes the researchers by surprise… Moreover, Mr. Houle attends all the conferences presented in bee-keeping in Quebec, and often in Canada. He

M. Émile Houle est technicien agricole. Il est diplômé de l’Institut de technologie agricole de St-Hyacinthe. Il a effectué un stage de perfectionnement en apiculture à Bâton Rouge aux États-Unis. Maintenant sur le point de prendre sa retraite, M. Houle a travaillé pendant toute sa carrière comme technicien en apiculture. Il a d’abord été employé au ministère de l’Agriculture du Québec. Puis, en 1999, les activités apicoles du ministère ont été transférées au Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault (CRSAD) et M. Houle y a poursuivi ses activités.

M. Houle s’implique à tous les niveaux de l’apiculture. Que ce soit pour les travaux de recherche sur le terrain ou en laboratoire, pour les améliorations dans les mielleries (matériel d’extraction ou autre), pour la gestion des ruchers, M. Houle sait démontrer de nombreuses qualités. Notamment, il est un homme ingénieux et généreux de ses connaissances. Il partage facilement ses expériences et les fruits de ses lectures avec les autres, qu’ils soient apiculteurs ou chercheurs.

M. Houle suit de près les publications qui paraissent en apiculture. Il lit à peu près tout sur le sujet, même qu’il prend parfois les chercheurs par surprise… De plus, M. Houle assiste à tous les colloques présentés en apiculture au Québec, et souvent au Canada. Il a assisté également à plusieurs symposiums internationaux.

M. Houle est un technicien très apprécié des apiculteurs. Il sait les rejoindre dans leur pratique. Ses conférences sont courues,

les apiculteurs disent qu’Émile parle leur langage et ils aiment l’entendre.

M. Houle collabore à tous les projets de recherche en apiculture menés au CRSAD et il est très apprécié par les chercheurs. Il démontre un grand intérêt et contribue par ses connaissances et par son ingéniosité à faciliter la mise en oeuvre des protocoles de recherche.

M. Houle a conçu et fabriqué des outils et plusieurs appareils qui ont permis de réaliser des expérimentations sophistiquées. Entre, il a développé des façons de marquer les abeilles. Il a également conçu un distributeur pour une expérience dans laquelle les abeilles devaient s’imbiber d’un fongicide au sortir de la ruche sans entrer en contact avec ce même produit au retour du butinage. Dans l’article scientifique publié à la suite de ces travaux de recherche, il est question du « Houle-dispenser ».

La participation de M. Houle à titre de goûteur expert lors des concours de dégustation de miel est très souvent sollicitée, notamment par l’Exposition agricole de St-Hyacinthe. Il a développé un goût très raffiné et sait reconnaître les miels de qualité.

Ainsi, le conseil d’administration de la Fédération des apiculteurs du Québec considère que M. Émile Houle, un technicien fort apprécié par les apiculteurs et par les chercheurs en apiculture, tant en raison de ses connaissances que de son ingéniosité.

also attended several international symposiums. Mr. Houle is a very appreciated technician for the bee-keepers. He can join them in their practice. When speaking at conferences, the bee-keepers say that Emile speaks their language and they like to hear it. Appreciated by the researchers Mr. Houle collaborated in many the research projects in bee-keeping that led to the CRSAD and he very appreciated by the researchers. He shows a great interest and contributes to knowledge and he is

ingeniousness to facilitate the implementation of the protocols of research. An inventor Mr. Houle designed and manufactured tools and several apparatuses which made it possible to carry out sophisticated experiments. He helped develop ways of marking the bees. He also design distributor for an experiment in which the bees were soaked with a fungicide leaving the hive without coming into contact with this same product on the return of the butinage. In the scientific article published following this research, the process was called “Houle-exempting”. Mr. Houle always has an idea to solve a problem.

Mr. Houle is an expert honey taster and many contests of honey tasting have solicited his judging, in particular by the agricultural Exposure of St-Hyacinthe. He developed a very refined taste and can recognize honies of quality. Thus, the board of directors of the Federation of the bee-keepers of Quebec considers that Mr. Emile Houle, a technician extremely appreciated by the bee-keepers and by the researchers in bee-keeping, as well because of its knowledge as of its ingeniousness.

Willy Baumgartner Memorial Award Winner - Émile Houle


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CCompiled by CAPA National Survey Committee and Provincial Apiarists: Claude Boucher, Les Eccles, Kristina Head, Chris Jordan, Paul Kozak, Rhéal Lafrenière, Chris Maund, Joanne Moran, Medhat Nasr, David Ostermann, Steve Pernal, Paul Van Westendorp, Geoff Wilson

In 2012, the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) National Survey committee developed a core set of questions that the Provincial Apiarists surveys could use to report on honey bee wintering losses in their province. These standardized questions facilitated direct comparison of key wintering loss data across the country. The following report is a summary of the reported winter losses from the provincial surveys.

Over the winter of 2011 / 2012, the average level of wintering loss of honey bee colonies (i.e. colony mortality or colonies too weak to be commercially productive) across Canada was 15.3% (Table 1). This is the lowest wintering loss rate for Canada in the past six years

(Figure 1). In comparison to last year, provincial wintering losses were also lower this year for all provinces (Figure 2).

Weather:Weather was seen as a major factor in the reduced wintering losses in 2011 / 2012. The mild winter condition

combined with healthy bees resulted in fewer colonies dying during winter and a greater proportion of strong colonies in the spring. Many provinces reported that spring arrived early, thus allowing population build up to occur earlier than usual. This was not the case in every region of every province. Many parts of B.C. reported a cold,

wet spring, which contributed to the dwindling of colonies coming out of winter.

In the previous winter, 2010 / 2011, the winter was cold and long followed by a cold wet spring that delayed the population build up of honey bee colonies in many regions of Canada.

Though management and pest and disease issues are often considered the principal factors influencing honey bee health, the last two seasons have highlighted that weather may still be a critical factor when it comes to wintering loss in Canada. Weather may also be a factor with respect to

the population dynamics of honey bee pests and diseases, particularly related to the development of the colony as in the case with varroa and periods of brood rearing.

Varroa control:The vast majority of beekeepers in Canada are managing varroa levels at regular intervals through chemical and cultural means. The continued management of varroa in honey bee colonies is widely recognized

as one of the primary goals with respect to maintaining honey bee health. Apivar®, when used properly, provided effective management of varroa infestations. Beekeepers in Canada are still regularly using organic acids as part of the rotation of chemical treatments, but continue to rely heavily on synthetic treatments. Although there are a variety of chemical options available to beekeepers, all have their advantages and disadvantages. This includes timing of treatments, pattern of use, temperature dependence and the development of resistance in varroa mite populations. The use of new methods of varroa control

CAPA Statement on Honey Bee Wintering Losses in Canada (2012)

Table 1. Gross Wintering Losses by Province, 2011/2012

Figure 1. Average National Wintering Loss rates in Canada 2007 -2012

Figure 2. Average Percent Wintering Losses by Province 2011 & 2012

P pg 25


in an integrated pest management framework is therefore essential to the sustainability of mite control for this industry. The promotion of monitoring and using effective control options continues to be the focus of many extension and education activities promoting honey bee health. Beekeepers awareness of these principles and the adoption of best management practices that incorporate good food safety practices are regarded as the future direction for this industry.

Nosema:Nosema is still considered a serious pathogen in Canada that may be influencing colony survival. In Alberta, nosema was cited as one of the major reasons for colony mortality in a few operations. In the past, nosema disease was recognized primarily as a winter disease. It has long been established that Nosema apis increases in severity throughout the winter months, peaking in early spring. Fumagilin treatments have been demonstrated to suppress levels of Nosema apis. With the discovery of Nosema ceranae, the seasonal relationship between nosema disease and honey bee health is less clear. Furthermore, there may be regional variations that may underlie the severity of nosema disease. Current strategies to address nosema disease include research projects that address the impact of the disease on the health of colonies. Novel treatment options must be developed along with programs that promote monitoring disease levels as part of the management strategy for this disease.

Pesticides:There are still many concerns amongst beekeepers regarding the potential chronic and sub-lethal impact of pesticides and agrochemicals (particularly systemic insecticides). Researchers continue to examine how pesticide effects may impact the long term survival of honey bee colonies, particularly during winter. In addition, Health Canada’s (through the Pest Management Regulatory Agency) environmental assessment addresses the regulation of pesticides through

continual risk based assessments and can document any reported pesticide incident.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD):Symptoms by which CCD is being characterized in the U.S. have not been diagnosed by professional apiculturists in Canada. Increased levels of colony mortality in Canada are associated with increased levels of winter loss, seen as direct mortality during winter or dwindling during the early spring. The most clearly associated cause of increased winter mortality in Canada has been ineffective Varroa control, demonstrated in recent research from Ontario (Guzman et al., 2010). Although many secondary pest, pathogen, environmental or management factors have been suggested to act individually or in combination to impact colony health, further research is required to establish conclusive links to ongoing patterns of colony death.

CAPA continues to be in close contact with scientists participating in U.S. working groups on colony losses. Members of CAPA have also been actively monitoring the status of bee health across the country and are sharing scientific information. Researchers within CAPA are active in evaluating alternative control options for Varroa mites, methods of integrated pest management (IPM) for honey bees and the breeding of queen stock more tolerant of diseases and mites. In several regions of Canada workshops have been conducted to promote IPM practices to beekeepers with particular attention given to surveillance programs to monitor pests and diseases, with emphasis on Varroa and Nosema spp. Attention has also focussed on proper disease identification, winter management, rotation of treatments and discouraging off-label use.

Members of CAPA, in cooperation with the Canadian Honey Council, are also pursuing the registration of alternative products for Varroa

control in Canada. Other areas of research that CAPA members are currently pursuing include studies of honey bee immunity, honey bee viruses, genetic expression of honey bee responses to disease, the biology of new and emerging bee pests and best management practices to promote the health of colonies.

For more details on the status of honey bees in the USA see: http://beeinformed.org/2012/05/winter2012/

Conclusion:There was a positive improvement toward lower wintering loss in the spring of 2012. However, an improving trend must continue for several years before we can say with certainty that wintering loss is returning to what is considered a normal rate. Even within provinces that reported lower levels of wintering loss there is variation among different operations with some operations reporting 50% to 80% losses. There were also large differences in mortality among specific regions in provinces. For example, Vancouver Island in B.C reported wintering losses of 64% compared to 20% wintering losses on mainland B.C.

Responses from provincial surveys indicated that ineffective varroa control, poor queen health, nosema and weak colonies in fall were the most common reasons for high wintering losses. Clearly the impacts of pest, pathogens and environmental factors continue to be a challenge to commercial beekeepers across Canada. There are a variety of strategies that have been pursued to address these challenges including applied and basic research, pest and pathogens monitoring, regulatory authority to address bee pests and pathogens that may threaten the industry, advisory and extension services to beekeepers promoting best management practices. It has become obvious that the future of beekeeping will depend on a multi-factorial approach to address the risks associated with honey bee health and wintering honey bees in Canada.


Chair: Geoff WilsonMembers: Claude Boucher, Paul Kozak, Rheal Lafreniere, Medhat Nasr, Steve Pernal

1. Full Registrations

1.A. Registration of Mite Away Quick Strips (MAQS™) (A.I. For-mic Acid 46.7%)

MAQS™ received full registration for control of Varroa mites in early January 2012. This product has eliminated some of the problems with using liquid formic acid however; some beekeepers that have used this product in Canada have reported to provincial apiarists over 30 percent queens damaged / lost when used according to label instructions. One incident in Ontario was reported to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) through their incident reporting system. In this case 64% queens were lost. When investigated some cases displayed queen loss with signs of supersedure while other cases appeared to be hopelessly queenless with no signs of attempted queen replacement. The timing of the loss of many queens appeared to correlate with the application of MAQS™ Caution should be advised in use of this product. Beekeepers should be encouraged to report incidents of colony damage to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency. Discussions need to take place on how to best deal with the reported colony damage associated with MAQS™

1.B. Emergency Use Registra-tion (EUR) / Conditional regis-tration of Apivar® (A.I. Amitraz 3.33%)

The Canadian Honey Council (CHC), Provincial Associations, Provincial Apiarists and Provincial Minor use Coordinators applied for an EUR of Apivar® for the period of July 1, 2012 until June 30 2013.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) granted a conditional full registration for Apivar® after the EUR application was submitted making the EUR redundant. The EUR was requested to be withdrawn by the Provincial Apiarists. Arysta Life-Sciences and Veto Pharma have committed to provide the remaining documents of the data

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA)2012 Year End Chemical Committee Report

Quebec City Nov 2012

package requested by the PMRA to fulfill the conditions of registration.

There were reports that Apivar® did not work in some beekeeping operations. In many cases, these were investigated and it does not appear that resistance caused the higher than anticipated level of Varroa mites and losses. In all most all cases it appeared that poor application of the control products which did not allow enough contact between the bees and the Apivar® strips was responsible for the lack of control.

1.C. Minor Use Registration of Permanone® (A.I. Permethrin 10%)

The full minor use registration was granted for Permanone® for the control of small hive beetles around bee hives. A replacement permethrine product will need to be registered as Permanone is likely to be removed from the market in the near term.

2. Emergency Use Regis-trations (EUR)

2.A. EUR of Apivar® (A.I. Ami-traz 3.33%)

An Emergency Use Registration for Apivar® was submitted and withdrawn (see section 1.B. for details)

3. Products of Interest for future registration

3.A. Bayvarol® (A.I. Flumethrin 0.06%)

In late 2012, initial indications were made by Bayer to register Bayvarol® for Varroa mite control in Canada. Providing an additional control product is a positive step for the beekeeping industry. Some concerns exist regarding resistance management for Bayvarol®. For optimal resistance management it is important to use products with different modes of action. Both Bayvarol® and the currently registered Apistan® (A.I. Fluvalinate-tau 10.25%) are synthetic pyrethroids with the same mode of action. The evidence for cross resistance between Apistan® and Bayvarol®

is conflicting. There is some evidence to indicate there is little to no cross resistance while other evidence indicates that cross resistance between these products exists. The industry will be very grateful for this additional tool but the search needs to continue for new Varroa treatments with alternate modes of action.

3.B. Alternate Varroa control products

Work continues by research groups across Canada on additional products. HopGuard™ and additional thymol treatments appear to have promise however; further work is needed before commercial release in Canada. Additional work is being done with other treatment options. These products are at earlier stages of product development and little can be released about their progress at this time.

3.C. Acetic Acid

Acetic acid was in the initial stages of registration to assist with the management of Nosema spp. in stored bee equipment. This registration halted after the PMRA budget cuts and the elimination of the positions coordinating this registration for multiple industries. Re-initiation may proceed through other channels at the PMRA.

3.D. Tylosin

Tylosin is not currently registered for use on bee colonies; however, it has been used through veterinarian prescription for the control of oxytetracycline resistant American Foulbrood in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Some residues of tylosin are being found in Canadian honey and although working residue limits have been established, maximum residue limits are needed. This requires a full registration. A working group has been assembled to investigate registration of Tylan® for American foulbrood control.

4. Other honey bee man-agement product issues

4.A. Bee repellents

Residues of butyric acid and benzaldehyde were being found in honey that exceeded the MRL of 0.1 ppm. A risk assessment by the Bureau of Chemical Safety within Health Canada concluded that repellent residues found in honey “did not pose an unacceptable risk” to human health. It was also found that “Bee repellents containing butyric anhydride and/or benzaldehyde were


also deemed not to fall under the Pest Control Act therefore 0.1ppm is not suitable for compliance monitoring”. As a result the CFIA has stopped monitoring for butyric acid and benzaldehyde.

Additional concerns have been highlighted because there are issues that have not been addressed regarding the use of bee repellents. These concerns include:1. There are no Best Management Practices to reduce repellent residues2. There is no maximum residue limit which may affect future decisions and markets.3. The CFIA retains the right to monitor for this product as they deem necessary but there is no explanation as to what factors would be used to warrant re-initiating monitoring for repellents

A more permanent solution is needed by addressing the gaps remaining in the current ruling surrounding the use of repellents

4.B. Fumagillin residues in honey

Fumagillin residues were found in honey in 2011. After cursory investigation of the situation it is suspected that a shift in the usage Fumagilin-B from the fall to the spring to treat Nosema ceranae is responsible for the increased incidents of residues. Some beekeepers have shifted the spring dosage, treatment application, and timing to deal with Nosema ceranae. With proper timing and use according to label residues do not appear to be a problem. Beekeepers have been encouraged to use this product appropriately to mitigate the risk of developing residues in extracted honey.

5. Pesticide Incident Re-port for the Chemical CommitteeWhen pesticide incidents occur and result in honey bee kill, beekeepers can report these incidents for investigation. In the past, many beekeepers have reported to provincial apiarists and other government officials that they have had a pesticide incident. However it appears that very few beekeepers reported these incidents to the proper authority within the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) or provincial governments who are responsible for investigation, taking actions and the regulation of pesticides. In other cases after reporting the incident beekeepers decline to allow authorities to do any investigation. In 2009-2011 there were only 1or 2, incidents that were officially reported to the PMRA

respectively.

5.A. Reported Pesticide Inci-dents in 2012

In 2012 beekeepers generally were encouraged to report pesticide incidents directly to the PMRA. Although beekeepers complained about incidents of bee kill from pesticides, not all of them reported these cases to PMRA in 2012. The number of reported incidents to the PMRA from Alberta (AB), Saskatchewan (SK) Manitoba (MB), Ontario (ON) and Quebec (QC) were 1, 12, 1, 71 and 2 incidents respectively for a total of 87 incidents and 3602 colonies affected. PMRA preliminary investigation showed

that neonicotinoids, and organophosphates were responsible for the majority of the cases, however other compounds including carbamates and organic acids were also involved (Table 1).

5.A.1. Special Note on Honey Bee Poisoning Associated with Corn Seed Treatments In Canada

Seed treatments have become a common method to protect corn from pests and disease. The systemically active neonicotinoid insecticides are a common component of the seed treatments used on corn. Although corn seed is not intrinsically attractive to honey bees, Krupke et al. (2011) demonstrated that the dust from the corn planters can contain high levels of clothianidin and thiamethoxam. Bees exposed to this contaminated dust

through various means of exposure can be seriously poisoned.

In Quebec beekeepers reported pesticide related bee loss and reduction of bee population in bee colonies associated with the timing and location of corn seeding in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 with 1, 2, 1 and 1 incidents reported per year, respectively. In Ontario there were 39 beekeepers who reported bee colonies in 268 locations which suffered and displayed all known acute pesticide poisoning symptoms coinciding and possibly related to corn seeding in 2012. These damages occurred across much of the corn production region (Figure). The PMRA, Ontario Ministry of Environment

and Ministry of Agriculture investigated and detected clothiandin and thiomethoxam in many of the honey bee samples. For more details, refer to the following websites. Quebec: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_decisions/epir-edirp2011-4412/ index-eng.phpOntario: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/pest/_fact-fiche/bees-incidents-abeilles-2012-eng.php

5.B. Reporting system

PMRA is the federal agency that is responsible for implementing The Pest Control Product Act and Regulations. Pesticide incidents can be reported directly to the PMRA, and the various provincial agencies. Reports that appear to be related to non-compliance

Table 1. Honey bee pesticide damage incidents reported to the PRMA: A Summary of the public records available from the PMRA http://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/pi-ip/disclaimer-avertissement-eng.php

* Note: Fungicidal agent which may not be responsible for colony mortality

P pg 31


Call Mike at 1-866-948-6084 today

or email [email protected]

or check our website:www.fraserauction.com


Bee Maid Honey Limited will consider project proposals in any area of apiculture, hive health or honey production. Preference will be given to the area of honey quality and good practices of producing pure quality Canadian honey in the Canadian beekeeping industry.

Proposals for projects must be submitted to the Bee Maid Honey Research Committee by March 31, 2013. Projects are expected to be completed within one year of funding, although renewal applications will be considered.

Please submit five complete hard copies plus one electronic copy of your application by March 31th, 2013 to: Bee Maid Honey LimitedAttention: Guy ChartierResearch Committee625 Roseberry Street,Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0T4 Electronic copy to: [email protected] Proposal Procedures and Criteria Cover Page • Principal Investigator: Name, address, phone, FAX, e-mail, signature

• Collaborating Individuals/Institutions: Names, addresses, phones, Faxes, e-mail addresses, signatures

• Title of Project • Total of proposed budget for each year

CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALSSubmitted by Bernie Rouseau

• Names and signatures of relevant administrative persons, if any

• Summary - Provide a brief summary of the objectives and potential benefits of the proposed research. Project Description Please describe the proposed research, in no more than 4 pages. The proposal should describe clearly the:

• objectives of the project • the methods used to meet the objectives, and • the economic or other benefits that will result.

• where the results might be published and • how transfer of new technology to the beekeeping industry will be accomplished Budget Please list the proposed annual budget for each of the following categories for each year requested:

• Salaries and benefits • Equipment (non-expendables) • Supplies (expendables) • Travel • Other (specify) Describe and justify the requested expenses. Note that overhead costs, institutional overhead, administrative costs, and the purchase of long-term capital assets such as vehicles are not eligible for funding. Timetable Please include:

• a detailed work plan and • specific milestones to meet the objectives of the project

• resources and personnel available for the project

• responsibilities of each collaborator • location of work, etc. Matching Funding Projects with additional or matching funding will be preferred. Describe:

• the funding that you or your institution will contribute to the project,

• list other funding for which you have applied or will receive towards this project. Attachments Please attach:

• curriculum vitae for the principal and collaborating applicants

• other information relevant to the proposed research (i.e., reprints of completed relevant research, other grant applications, supporting letters, etc.). ReportingA requirement of the Bee Maid Honey Limited, Research Committee is that the successful applicant must provide an abstract of their results to the Bee Maid Honey Limited office by November 30th of the year in which the grant was awarded. A final report must be submitted by March 15th. Please send application and four copies to:Bee Maid Honey LimitedAttention: Guy ChartierResearch Committee625 Roseberry Street,Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0T4

Please forward an electronic version of the application to: [email protected].

Please order early

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Phone 306-862-4194

Fax 306-862-4193

Producers of Northern Blossom Honey


TThe acute bee kills in Ontario in 2012 represent an opportunity for all beekeepers of Canada to establish an ongoing compensation package for such kills in the future.

The acute bee kills in Ontario were associated with the planting of field corn. Corn is very large seed with a rough surface and when treated with a seed treatment, parts of the surface can flake off carrying the seed treatment pesticide with it and becoming a fine dust during the seeding process. The seed drills that are used to plant corn utilize air pressure to move the seed along and in order to do that efficiently, talc is used as a lubricant. The talc helps carry the dust. The beekeepers in the spring, found blankets of dead bees in front of their colonies. Neighboring farmers where planting corn at the time. The corn seed was treated with clothianidin, or thiamethoxam (clothianidin, is a primary metabolite of thiamethoxam). Either product could have been used to treat the seed. Two possible scenarios of how the bees came in contact with the pesticide - either the pesticide was carried directly in the air to the bee yard location or it was deposited on blooming plants or water sources where the bees were foraging and they carried it back their hives.

The Ontario Provincial Apiarist – Paul Kozak (OMAFRA) was contacted by the beekeepers that had the problem. He then contacted the Provincial Ministry of the Environment (MOE) who normally conduct investigations into pesticide kills. Together they contacted Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada. The three agencies went out together to the various locations where beekeepers reported problems. The PMRA is responsible for the risk analysis and registration of all

Opportunity for the Canadian Beekeeping Industry to Establish Compensation for Bee Kills

By Editor Doug McRory, Ontario Representative to CHC

pesticides in Canada. OMAFRA was there in an advisory role as the other agencies do not have a great deal of experience with the overall health and management of honey bees . There have been over 200 locations where pesticide problems were reported by the approximately 40 beekeepers that reported several thousand colonies where pesticide kills occurred. The pesticide companies were not used in the investigation or to collect data in the field. The need for third-party investigation by objective government agencies was essential for gathering information free of conflict of interest. In addition, the beekeepers reporting the pesticide incidents typically did not have access to the chemical or seed label for the product being used in the field.

Samples were taken by MOE and PMRA and sent to the PMRA lab in Ottawa for analysis. The PMRA in an interim reported in November to the beekeepers of Ontario at the OBA Tech-Transfer Program offices in Guelph, said that 70% of the samples contained clothianidin. PMRA released the statement: “...pesticides used on treated corn seeds may have contributed to at least some of the 2012 spring bee losses that occurred in Ontario...” PMRA, MOE and OMAFRA have stated that the farmers that seeded the corn did everything according to the label. Therefore, this is a situation where the label has failed to protect the honey bees that were killed by this action. The PMRA is expected to make a final report in January 2013 when they have analyzed samples of dead bees, live bees, vegetation, and pollen. At the same time, a detailed survey of the surrounding agricultural lands was initiated for several of the affected bee yards. Information was collected regarding crops grown, planting practices, weather conditions

and seed treatments or other pesticide applications. This also needs to be incorporated into the final report. The final report is not available at the time of writing this article.

We had the dead bees and we have the reports of 70% of the samples containing Clothianidin. According to PMRA, the farmers used to product according to the label therefore they should not be responsible. That leaves the companies who supply the data to PMRA to establish the label and register the product as being responsible. It is the opinion of the author that these companies should develop a fund that can be administered by an objective third-party that would pay for losses in cases like this. These losses are not from misapplication of the pesticide but are from risks and technical gaps that may not have been covered in the initial review of the products. Currently, these risks to pollinators are not covered in the current label. The Canadian Honey Council (CHC) must represent the Canadian beekeepers who have been affected by this situation in negotiations with the companies that sell these products. They should establish a fund that would reimburse the beekeepers for their losses in such cases. Such a fund would not require huge investment by the companies as it would be limited to such situations where the label and risk assessment did not protect the environment around which the product was being applied. Not only would this assist the beekeepers who have shouldered a serious financial burden as a result of the risks associated with a product used by another sector of agriculture this would also be good public relations companies involved who have stated publically that they are concerned about the health of honey bees.

Through their joint representative association –“Crop Life Canada” the companies are carrying on a campaign of best management practices mainly aimed at farmers seeding corn to offset the perceived threat to their products. Beekeepers


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are encouraged to communicate to the farmers where their bee yards are located so the farmers can be especially careful when seeding close to them. These practices although good in their intention do not appear to have any great significance from a technical and practical standpoint to prevent such a situation from developing in 2013. The companies are promising to develop a new sticker to keep the pesticide on the corn seeds and also develop a better lubricant than the talc that is now currently used but these measures and also putting a tag on the seed bags that the seed is treated with an insecticide that is dangerous to bees, these will not occur

are typically investigated by the PMRA or appropriate provincial groups. This current system of dual reporting and investigation may lead to confusion, duplication of reports, and lack of reporting by beekeepers. It also creates confusion and miscommunication between involved organizations. To ensure the best information going forward, it may be beneficial to encourage developing a clear reporting system between the provinces and PMRA that leads to effective investigation and encourage beekeepers to report all cases. Thus we will be able to improve pesticide safety and protection of honey bees.

Figure. Proportion of impacted apiaries per

county in Ontario in 2012

until 2014 at the earliest and much of these improvements still needed, must be developed.

The beekeepers want their bees protected! The companies do not want to lose access to this family of chemicals to control insects as it is an large part of their pesticide sales. There needs to be a solution brought about by improved technology that keeps these products where they are supposed to be and the bees are safe. If there are incidents such as we have seen this year resulting from the risk associated with a product, then the companies need to offset the losses of the beekeepers.

continued from page 27

ReferencesKrupke C.H., Hunt G.J., Eitzer B.D., Andino G. and Given K. 2011.

Multiple routes of pesticide exposure for honey bees living near agricultural fields. PLoS ONE. 7 (1): 1-8.

Hivelights Back IssuesAvailable for $5.00 each plus $2.00 S/HFor 4 back issues, cost would be $20.00 plus $5.00 S/HBack issues of Hivelights are available going back to issue #1, Vol. 21, 2008.Please send cheque or M/O to:HivelightsP. O. Box 914, Stn. T, Calgary, AB, T2H 2H4


WORLD NEWSHoney changes everything

Submitted by Doug McRory (Editor).

This article first appeared on bbc.com/future (http:bbc.com/future)

Jonathan Kalan is an award-winning photographer and journalist specializing in innovation, technology, business and social entrepreneurship in emerging markets.

The social business in East Africa that is using bees and smartphones to help lift subsistence farmers out of poverty.

Bees. Specifically African bees are probably not the first, or even fifth idea, that comes to mind when you think of alleviating poverty. Yet these little insects are causing a buzz by helping thousands of rural farmers in East Africa.

For the past twelve years, Kenyan social business Honey Care Africa has developed its innovative ‘Business in a Beehive’ model that has allowed low-income farmers to easily earn more money by producing honey.

The package gives farmers everything they need to start producing honey- a beehive, equipment, training, hive maintenance, and – most importantly of all - a contract for a guaranteed cash purchase of the resulting honey at fair market prices.

A simple beehive requires just 1 sq m (10 sq ft) of land and two to three hours of labor per month. With minimal effort, farmers can earn extra cash from producing honey.

That makes it an attractive investment for small rural farmers who often subsist on income from a single crop. With no monthly paycheck, inconsistent harvests make predictable income difficult. The honey, on the other hand, is a relatively stable and easy source of cash that farmers can depend on.

“We’ve created a modern supply chain connecting poor rural households

in east Africa to global markets for honey,” says Madison Ayer, Honey Care Africa’s CEO.

The idea comes at a convenient time. Global demand for honey constantly exceeds supply, and with bee colonies mysteriously disappearing in the US and Europe, pure honey is becoming a valuable – and expensive - commodity. The price of honey in the US is rising more than 6% annually, and the market globally is expected to hit $12 billion by 2015.

The reason is that “there’s a certain magic to honey,” Ayers claims. “It’s the only food that insects produce that humans eat regularly, it’s packed with healthy micro-nutrients, and for thousands of years honey has been used for its medicinal value.”

Aside from being a healthy and natural

sweetener, honey is an antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antifungal.

Yet the production of honey is a very slow, decentralized process. It’s impossible to artificially produce or

mass manufacture pure honey. You need honeybees, space, wild flowers and ample time to for the bees to pollinate and produce it.

Sweet bonusIn East Africa there are plenty of honeybees ready to meet the growing demand. But, until now, challenges of infrastructure, knowledge and capital have left many locals to consider beekeeping a ‘cottage industry,’ and not a commercial business.

“One of the biggest challenges of honey production in Kenya is the fragmented value chain,” says Fred Ogana of TechnoServe, an international NGO that invests in business solutions to poverty, and recently completed an in-depth study of Kenya’s honey industry.

While many rural farmers keep bees, the traditional method of collecting honey results in low quality honey and low harvesting yields.

“Smallholder farmers typically produce honey in traditional logs, and when harvest day comes they pack it in old

fruit juice bottles, and hawk it on the road sides” says Ogana.

Honey Care tries to make this process more efficient and predictable. Its package costs around $50 for two hives, and it has partnered with micro

Smoked out. A beekeeper working for Kenyan social business Honey Care Africa, harvests honey near Kakuzi farms, central Kenya. The smoke makes bees less aggressive. (Copyright:

Jonathan Kalan)


lending institutions like Kiva.org and local microfinance banks to help farmers get loans to purchase the package. Farmers can earn on average 15,000 Kenyan Shillings ($175) per year from two hives, making their return on investment substantial. The organization has even found a way to help those people who are afraid of bees, but like the idea of a sweet income, by hiring fulltime beekeepers within villages to manage individual farmers hives. As an added bonus, pollination from the bees actually helps improve crop yields 15-30%, further adding to income. In Kenya, this little extra cash goes a long way. Families are able to pay for school fees, medical bills, increase their land and invest in more livestock - or hives.

Shelf lifeAlthough bee-keeping is a traditional – and relatively low-tech business – the organization is beginning to bring it into the 21st Century.

Its latest innovation is its Swarm Database smartphone app, which allows a fleet of beekeeping technicians who

inspects hives across the country to enter troves of live data on farmers, hives, honey and harvesting into Samsung smartphones.

This information feeds into a central dashboard, which helps the company track production and improves the efficiency of their honey supply. Alerts encourage regular hive inspection, whilst analytics automatically highlight opportunities and trends. The app also allows global consumers to connect more with Kenyan beekeepers, says CEO Ayer. For example, imagine picking up a jar of Honey Care Africa honey off the shelves of your local supermarket, scanning a QR code on the jar, and seeing the family, trees and hives that produced, along with harvest date all on your screen. “It’s a great way to visualize traceability,” remarks Ayer.

“Honey is so easily adulterated, consumers want to keep an eye on it,” he says. “We have our eyes on honey from the bees to the shelf.”


Classifieds:Honey Bees and Supplies for Sale and Wanted

For Sale: 200 supers of drawn comb with plastic foundation $30 each. New quad winter wraps - $55 each. Paul Gregory, 204-372 -6339, Fisher Branch, MB. [email protected]

For Sale: 2008 Cowen 60 Frame "Air Ram" extractor, shallow sump, and honey auger. All only used 3 seasons. In perfect condition, located in Ontario. $18,000 firm. Other honey and wax handeling equipment available. 905-328-6066 or [email protected]

Honey Supers For Sale: 750 + deep supers, with 9 frames of drawn comb. On pallets. $30 each FOB Niagara on the Lake, ON. 905-328-6066 or [email protected] B&E Honey Fields Ltd., 962 Line 8, RR#4, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0, tel: 905-328-6066

Bee Supplies for Sale: Silicon Moulds for Candles: Petawawa (ON) Over 18 years selling high quality silicon moulds for making beeswax candles. The moulds do not require lubrication. Easy to follow instructions included in $5.00 catalogue. Cost of the catalogue is refunded on your first order. Contact: E. & R. Schmitt, 3468A Petawawa Blvd. Petawawa, ON K8H 1X3. Phone: Business 613-687-4335

For Sale: 80 hives and honey equipment for sale in Ontario. Call 780-728-7006.

Retirement Sale: Ford F250 4X4 Super Duty with hydraulic tailgate, flat deck, expanded, metal walls, etc. Phone 306-374- 8130 or e-mail [email protected].

For Sale: Queen cells ready for pick-up June and July. Mated queens shipped June through September. Highlands Honey, 6-Z2 Old Kingston Rd., Portland, ON, K0G 1V0. Phone: 613-272-2091

For Sale: 400 four frames nucs, available starting beginning of May, minimum of 3 frames of brood + 1 honey frame. All Hawaiian carniolian queens from last year, please contact Pierre : 1 204 248 2645 or cell number 1 204 208 0110. Nucs have to be picked up in Southwestern Manitoba. Minimum of 10 nucs at a time. Price:150 dollars per nucs. We'll give you a reduction for any big quantity orders.

Wanted to Buy: Raw Honey. Will buy raw honey, small or large amounts. Preference from Southern BC region. 250-495-2234. “Will pay top dollar”

Wanted - Round Comb Honey Equipment: Milo (AB). Used Round Comb Honey Equipment. Supers, Frames, etc. Cobana/Ross Round Size. Best Price. We pick up. www.rossrounds.com PO Box 11583, Albany, NY 12211. Use round comb section equipment by Ross Rounds, Inc. and see how this low cost investment can increase your profits. 8 oz. Sells For Same As 12 oz; Minimal Labor; Bees Fill Completely; No Breakage And No Propolis; Attractive Durable Package. To purchase, contact your dealer. For more information call toll-free: 877.901.4989 Comb Honey Has Come Full Circle. 403-599-3953. Summit Gardens Honey, Milo, Alberta. www.summitgardenshoney.com

Wanted – Bees Wax for candles: (ON) Light Yellow rendered beeswax cappings. Email: [email protected], Phone: 613-478-3784 Contact: Ian or JoAnn Fraser.

Wanted – Barrels of white and buckwheat honey: (ON) Phone: 647-801-6690. Contact: Jonathan.

Help WantedHelp Wanted: Full Time Assistant Apiarist for 2013, Codrington, Ontario. Must have 1 season experience minimum and some knowledge of beekeeping, must be willing to work days, evenings, weekends and overtime with supervision by an experienced apiarist and ability to work independently. Long hours during long peak periods. No bee sting allergies please. Language: English and Russian. Duties: Help with a feed and care for honeybee colonies in a manner appropriate for the season. Spring check manipulation, pest and disease control, assemble and maintain hive equipment, assist in production queens, move hives (relocate colonies), assist in Summer harvest, extraction of honey, package honey, maintain bee yards, help with Fall feeding, assessment and winter preparation, build new beehives and frames. Wages $11. 46 per hour. Contact Yuriy Skoba by e-mail: [email protected]

Help Wanted 5 beekeepers helpers, Arborfield, Saskatchewan. 5 beekeepers helpers wanted for the 2013 season in Arborfield, Saskatchewan. Full time positions from April to October wages commensurate with experience. Apply with resume to: [email protected]

Help Wanted 3 Seasonal Beekeeper Helpers (apiary workers) Good Spirit Lake SK. Wanted: 3 Seasonal Beekeeper Helpers (apiary workers) for the 2013 honey production season at Howland’s Honey farm, Good Spirit Lake, Sk. May to September 2013, $10.27 to $17.00

per hour depending on experience. A valid driver’s license is a benefit and beekeeping experience an asset. Employees must have own transportation to the job site. Training available on the job. Work is physically demanding, and includes hive management/ maintenance, harvesting and extraction of honey. Long hours, week-end, and evening work may be required during the harvest period. Contact Danny or Sasha at Howland Enterprises Inc., phone 306-792-2044 fax 306-792-2064 or email [email protected] for more information.

Help wanted: Full time beekeeper, Carlisle, Ontario. We have openings for 2013, April through October, possible year round.. Beeyard and honey house work. Heavy lifting. No bee sting allergies please. Wages dependant on experience. Send resume to John Van Alten, Dutchman's Gold Inc., 300 Carlisle Road, Carlisle, Ontario L0R 1H2 or email [email protected]

Help Wanted-5 Beekeepers Wanted: Nipawin (SK) Full time beekeeping help, April to October. Beekeeping experience would be preferred. Wages start at $10.27 per hour. Contact Mark Knox, [email protected] , 306-862-5657, Box 179 Nipawin,Sask. S0E 1E0.

Help Wanted - Vanderhoof, BC (NOC 8431) Apiary Worker needed , min. one season commercial experience, $14/hr ,As soon as possible to November , Fast paced, heavy lifting, drive standard shift truck. Hive maintenance, harvest prep and honey pull, maintain extraction equipment if needed during production,pollen harvest, be important part of queen rearing program. Work independently ,Follow instruction well. Subsidized housing option. Target incentive and date extension as the business grows. Contact Jon A. by email. [email protected]

Help Wanted- 10 Beekeepers: Alvinston, ON Wanted: 10 Beekeepers from April to December 2013. Please send resume to: [email protected] Munro Honey & Meadery, 3115 River St. Alvinston, Ontario N0N 1A0 phone 519-847-5333 fax 519-847-5333 email: [email protected] www.munrohoney.com

FOR HIRE - Vanderhoof, BC NORTHLAND HONEY APIARIST (Beekeeper with Mite, Queen breeding and Propolis Production experience). Permanent, full time, on call, overtime, weekend, day and evening $17.00hourly for 40 hours per week. To start as soon as possible *Must have completed high school *Must have a trade diploma/certificate of a course in beekeeping *Must have a drivers license *Must have a minimum of 5 years of experience To manage overall operation of an apiary, establish marketing programs, maintain farm machinery, equipment and buildings, raise and breed honey bees. This job is fast placed, working under pressure, tight deadlines, handling heavy loads and is physically demanding. Must be able to be flexible with lots of bending, crouching, kneeling and walking required. We are looking for someone who can build up our honey production and would have experience with Tracheal and Varroa Mites. Email: [email protected] or send resume to Box 1545, Vanderhoof, BC, V0J 3A0

Help Wanted - Seasonal beekeepers: Kinistino,(SK) 6 full time beekeeping positions for up to 8 months (April to Nov.) 2013. Familiar with beekeeping an asset but not required if willing to learn all aspect of beekeeping with training by employer. Starting wages will be $ 10.07 with bonuses based on performances. Some week-end and evening work will be required during season for moving bees and bad weather during the week. Work is physically demanding and fast pasted. E-mail resume to Bacon Apiaries at [email protected] or to [email protected] or fax resume to 306-864-2451.

Help Wanted - Seasonal beekeepers - 2 apiary technicians & 7 apiary workers: MacGregor (MB). March 1 to November 1, 2013. Valid driver's license an asset, previous experience working with honeybees a requirement. Wage range $10.50-$16.00 per hour depending on experience. Candidates must be willing to work days, evenings, weekends, and overtime in a fast paced, repetitive, and physically demanding environment. Duties may include: assessing hive health, feeding/medicating colonies, removal/extraction of honey, relocating colonies, collecting/cleaning pollen, building/repairing beehive equipment, and light maintenance on machinery/vehicles. Contact: Nichol Honey Farm Ltd., Box 461, MacGregor, MB , R0H 0R0. phone (204)-252-2770, fax (204)-252-2129 email: [email protected]

Help Wanted - 4 Experienced beekeepers & 1 Honeybee Farm Supervisor: Pitt Meadows (BC) 4 experienced beekeepers wanted for January 15 - November 15, 2013, and 1 honeybee farm supervisor on a permanent full-time basis starting January 1st 2013. Preference will be given to candidates with queen rearing experience. Hourly pay rate $13 - $20, depending on experience. Send resumes to manager, Honeyland Canada Inc. email: [email protected]. Ron Lin, Ph.D., President, Honeyland Canada 17617 Ford Road, Pitt Meadows, B.C. Canada V3Y 1Z1 Tel: 604 460-8889; Fax: 604 460-8887. Email address: [email protected], website: www.HoneylandCanada.com

Help Wanted - 12 Beekeepers : Shellbrook (SK). Need 12 willing


beekeeping workers for Apr.-Nov. 2013. Pay starts at $10.07 with bonuses based on performance. Training is on the job. Accommodations provided on rental basis. Contact Murray: 306-747-3299 email: [email protected]

Help Wanted - 5 Apiary Technicians : Mission (BC) Wanted 5 Apiary technicians NOC 8253 for the 2013 season starting Feb14, 2013 ending approxiamately Oct 30, 2013. Candidates must have a minimum of 3 years commercial beekeeping in a large commercial business. Duties: Handle, feed and care for honeybee colonies in a manner appropriate for the season. Assist in the production of queen cells, nucs, queens and or replacement hives. Recognize, report and monitor hive health issues and apply appropriate cures/controls. Move hives. Collect and package honey. May drive and maintain vehicles including large trucks and forklifts. Maintain bee yards. Maintain hive equipment. Operate and maintain other apiary related equipment. Keep field ann or production records. Interact with external farm personnel (ex: owners of apiary locations or pollination customers). Candidates can e-mail resumes to Golden Ears Apiaries at: [email protected] or mail resumes to: Jean-Marc Le Dorze, 33197 Ito Place, Mission, B.C. V2V-3W7, Canada

Help Wanted - FOR 2013 : Meadow Lake (SK) 3 Experience Beekeepers -Must have knowledge of Queen Rearing and hives operation must speak English and Driver’s license an asset. 2 Helpers - Some knowledge of beekeeping, must speak English and Driver’s license is an asset. Groot’s Honey Farm, Box 2077, Meadow Lake, Sk, S9X 1Z4 Phone: 1 306- 236-6924, email: [email protected]

Help Wanted – Wendell Honey 12 full-time seasonal positions available at Wendell Honey in 2013 • Assistant Apiarists to: help with Spring check manipulation, help with pest and disease control, assemble equipment, help super hives, help harvest honey, help maintain beeyards, help with Fall feeding, assessment and treatments, help to wrap bees. With supervision by an experienced apiarist. Positions available from April 15 to mid-October 2013. Work is physically demanding. No experienced required. Wages start at $12.00 per hour. Email Isabel Wendell at [email protected] or fax 204 564 2568

12 full-time seasonal positions available at Wendell Honey in 2013 • Apiary technician to: help with Spring check, hive assessment and manipulation, help with pest and disease control, help with grafting, making nucs, and raising Queens, assemble equipment, help super hive, help harvest honey, help keep field production records, help maintain beeyards, help with Fall feeding, assessment and treatments, help to wrap bees. Positions available from April 16 to mid-October 2013. Some experience working with bees. Work is physically demanding. Wages $14.50-$17.00 per hour depending on experience with Wendell Honey email Isabel Wendell at [email protected] or fax 204 564 2568

Help Wanted - Apiary Harvest Labourers: Kinistino (SK) Seasonal Apiary Harvest Labourers wanted in Saskatchewan for work in a commercial honey production and bee rearing operation. Three full time seasonal positions for up to 7 months (April through October) for the 2013 season. Two full time seasonal positions for up to 3 months (July - September) for the 2013 season. Apiary Harvest Labourers perform tasks such as: supering hives, harvesting honey, cleaning honey extraction and storage equipment, honey extracting, barrel moving, preparation, filling and storage, manufacture, assemble and maintain hive equipment, bee yard maintenance. Experience, valid drivers license and English speaking skills would be an asset but not required. Availability to work evenings, holidays and weekends is a must. Starting wages at $10.07/hr with subsidized housing options and potential for bonuses based on performance, attitude and character. Long hours, week-end and evening/night work may be required. Work is physically demanding and fast pasted. E-mail resume to B's BeeRanch Inc. at [email protected]

Help Wanted- 2 Experienced Beekeepers: Honey Bee Centre Surrey (BC) HONEYBEE CENTRE requires two (2) beekeepers for the 2013 season. February 15 - October 15, 2013. Our company is situated in the centre of the Vancouver metropolis. Wages are $13.00 for workers with three or more years experience. A driver's license is an asset. On-site accommodations are available at $300 per month. Contact John Gibeau. [email protected]. Visit our website at www.honeybeecentre.com.

Help Wanted: Pleasant Valley, Alberta. PLEASANT VALLEY requires General Farm Workers (Harvest Laborer): 3 required, experience is an asset but will be trained, wage starting at $11.42/hr. Apiary workers (Low skill Worker): 7 required with a min. 1yr. experience, wage starting at $12.53/hr. Apiary Technician (Skilled Worker): 4 required with a minimum 2yr. experience, wage starting at $13.60/hr. All positions are to be filled for the 2013 Season. All wages are negotiable upon experience and productivity. A valid driver’s licence is a benefit. Ability to speak English is an asset. Must be physically fit. Email resumes to [email protected] attn. to Pleasant Valley or fax to 403-687-2410

Help Wanted: Fort Macleod, Alberta POELMAN APIARIES requires General Farm Workers (Harvest Laborer): 5 required, experience is an asset but will be trained, wage starting at $11.42/hr. Apiary Workers (Low

skill Worker): 14 required with a min. 1yr. experience, wage starting at $12.53/hr. Apiary Technician (Skilled Worker): 6 required with a minimum 2yr. experience, wage starting at $13.60/hr. All positions are to be filled for the 2013 Season. All wages are negotiable upon experience and productivity. A valid driver’s licence is a benefit. Ability to speak English is an asset. Must be physically fit. Email resumes to [email protected] attn. to Poelman Apiaries or fax to 403-687-2410

Help Wanted - Seasonal Beekeeper Helpers: Rocanville (SK) 6 full time positions for 6 months April 21 - October 21 - 2013 2 full time positions for 3 months July 3 - Sept 21 - 2013 Pay starts at $10.07 - $17.00 based on experience at B Strong Apiaries . Training on the job. Contact: email Brian at [email protected]. Fax: 306-645-4591

Help Wanted - 11 Seasonal Workers: Langenburg (SK) Full time beekeeper required Beekeeping experience an asset. Apr 15 till Oct 31 2013, $10.07 to $17.00 per hour. Glory bee Honey, phone 306-743-5469 or email [email protected] for more information

Help Wanted-Seasonal Beekeepers: Nipawin (SK) 5 Full-time Seasonal Beekeepers and 10 Beekeeper's Helpers (apiary workers) for April to November 2013. Work is physically demanding, and includes hive management and maintenance. Wages $12.00 to $17.00, depends on experience. Contact Yves Garez ph: 306-862-5979 fax 306-862-5974 or email [email protected]

Help Wanted - 4 Beekeepers: Shellbrook (SK). Wanted 4 beekeepers for May to October 2013. Wages depending on experience. Contact Jason Rinas, Email: [email protected] or Phone: 306-747-7220 or 306-764-4303 or 306-747-3130.

Help Wanted - One experienced Apiarists: St Andrews (MB) One experienced Apiarist (NOC 8431) for up to six months, May - October, 2013. Must have at least high school graduation and beekeeping courses, a valid driver's license, at least 5 years experience in beekeeping. Hourly rate $11.00 - $14.00 depending on experience. Email Applications, CV and references to [email protected].

Help Wanted - Meskanaw, (SK) 2 beekeepers helpers required. April to October 2013. Wages 10.00 - 13.00 / hour depending on experience. Contact: Calvin Parsons 306-864-2632 email [email protected]

Help Wanted - Full time seasonal apiarist : Argyle (MB) Full time seasonal apiarist, wages are $12 to $15 per hr. depending on exp. job is physically demanding, must help with wrapping, feeding, making nucs, supering, pulling honey, honey extraction, medicating hives, and winter preparation. Please call Cal Grysiuk, ph./fax 204-831-7838, email [email protected], or mail 83 Acheson Dr. Winnipeg, MB R2Y 2E8.

Help Wanted - Full time seasonal Apiarist Technician NOC 8253 and Apiarist Labourers NOC 8431: Austin (MB) Full time, seasonal Apiarist Technician, 1 position and Apiary Labourers, 3 positions, available at C.R. Apiaries, honey farm near Austin, MB, for 2013 season. Apiarist Technician: April 1-Oct.31: tending all apiary duties like hive management, harvesting, extracting honey and clean-up.Must have drivers licence $12.33-15.00/hour based on quailifications. Apiary Labourers: July1-Sept15: harvesting, extracting honey, clean-up. $10.25-11.50/hour based on experience. Send resume to C.R. Apiaries C/O: Chris Rempel, Box 358, Austin, MB., R0H 0C0, e-mail: [email protected]

Help Wanted - Seasonal Apiary Labourers - Saskatoon Area (SK) Seasonal Apiary Labourers wanted for Saskatoon area commercial beekeeping/queen rearing operation. Four full time seasonal positions (April through October) for the 2013 season. Must have experience in hive maintenance, harvesting and extraction of honey. Knowledge of queen rearing an asset. Wage $12.75 -$15.00 depending on experience. Apply to: [email protected].

Help Wanted - 2 Beekeeping Positions: North Battleford (SK) 2 Full time beekeepers required. Beekeeping experience an asset. English speaking with drivers licenses. April till October 2013, $10.07 to $17.00 per hour. Farmer Brown's Honey, Box 173, North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y1 Call Cam, 306-445-3332, email: [email protected]

Help Wanted - 10 Seasonal Beekeepers positions: Aylsham(SK) Wages starting at $10.70 per hours based on experience and qualifications. Employment from April to October 2013. Beekeeping experience is preferred. Send resume to Valleau Apiaries Ltd. by fax @ 306-862-3682 or email [email protected]@sasktel.net.

Help Wanted - 7 Apiary Harvest Labourers: Zenon Park (SK) 7 Full Time Workers - Wanted for April to November 2013 for Saskatchewan Honey Operation. Wages commencing $10.07 hour. Contact Gerry Moyen phone 306-767-2757 or Fax Resume 306-767-2626 email: [email protected]

PLANET BEE HONEY FARM

TOURS & GIFTS5011 Bella Vista RoadVernon, B.C. V1H 1A1Phone 250 542-8088email: [email protected]: www.planetbee.com

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Office/Cory 250-499-5773 - Lee 250-499-5753 - Fax 250-499-5752

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