Following the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists’ release of the Annual Colony Loss Report, Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is reiterating its ongoing commitment to bee health and the importance of scientific research and evidence.
“As we all recall, Ontario experienced a significantly colder and longer winter in 2014 than normal, as well as heavy ice and snow,” says Henry Van Ankum, chair of GFO.
“It was an unpredictable winter and in talking with beekeepers, some hives exasperated all their nutritional resources before the weather was warm enough to open the hives, resulting in higher ‘winterkill’ numbers.”
The report expresses that the Ontario bee population suffered a significant loss over the long, cold winter. The authors of the report propose a link between winterkill and neonicotinoid pesticides.
In Ontario, bees face several health risks including varroa mites, disease, lack of nutritional forage, and potential exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides. There has been no scientific link made between any one of these health risks and winterkill.
GFO officials say the report ignores the reality that overall bee population numbers continue to grow.
In Ontario, hive numbers were 75,000 in the fall of 2008 and 100,000 in the fall of 2013. The number of bee colonies has steadily grown, with an increase of 10,000 hives since 2012 when the concerns of neonicotinoids were raised in Ontario.
“Last winter presented numerous challenges resulting in losses across many agricultural sectors,” continues Van Ankum.
“Many winter wheat farmers lost acres due to the ice and extreme temperatures, and similarly, we know many beekeepers experienced higher than average losses of bees.
“This is why, more than ever, it’s important that all stakeholders support each other, use the best science and technology available, and work together towards a sustainable solution based on science and facts.”
