After the most successful overwintering of honeybees in Ontario for a number of years, beekeepers are experiencing a new threat to their livelihood.
The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association has received numerous reports of honey bees observed to have acute poisoning symptoms. To date there have been over 50 reports involving multiple hives per location.
The beekeepers have reported the incidents to several agencies including the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency.
In most cases ministry inspectors have responded and taken samples for analysis. Results are pending, which could determine the exact cause of the honey bee mortality.
Anecdotal observations show a strong link to the air seeding of treated corn. In all cases surrounding fields have been seeded within a day of the observed bee mortality.
This phenomenon is especially troubling because the seeding season is really just beginning in the rest of the province.
The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association has been in contact with OMAFRA officials who have indicated serious concern and are working to determine the reason why this may be happening in such large numbers this year.
Because honey bees play such a large role in the pollination of crops in Ontario, and that this may indicate that other non-managed pollinators are also affected, the Ontario Beekeepers Association is sending out press releases to express its concern and to indicate its desire to find a solution to the trend.
Officials say they understand farmers are doing what they need to do to get their planting done in a timely manner, and many farmers are equally concerned about inadvertently causing harm to pollinating insects.
The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, established in 1881, would like to see all parties work together to find a solution.
For more information, contact the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association at 905-636-0661 or visit www.ontariobee.com.
This column was submitted by the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association.
