Top Crop Manager

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New surveillance system to document Canadian honey bee health

July 15, 2014 - The government of Canada is investing $1 million to the Beekeepers Commission of Alberta to initiate a four-year nation-wide surveillance project to document the health profile of honey bee colonies in Canada.

According to a news release, the aim of the project is to record the nature, extent and prevalence of diseases, pest organisms and chemical residues in Canadian apiaries. To date, surveillance of this nature has been done at the regional level, and the sector is seeking to expand coordination and identify commonalities nationally on the health of bees.

Founded in 2006, the Beekeepers Commission of Alberta represents more than 1,300 beekeepers and the production of 60 per cent of the honey crop in Canada. In 2013, the total value of honey produced in Canada was $176 million.

 

July 15, 2014  By Top Crop Manager


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