{"id":155099,"date":"2024-05-21T14:20:19","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T18:20:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/rwddev\/?p=155099"},"modified":"2024-05-21T14:20:23","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T18:20:23","slug":"canada-and-ontario-bolstering-honey-bee-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/canada-and-ontario-bolstering-honey-bee-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada and Ontario bolstering honey bee health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The governments of Canada and Ontario have announced that they are increasing funding to the Honey Bee Health Initiative by up to $1 million to help improve the resiliency and competitiveness of beekeeper operations in Ontario. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They say the additional funding will help more Ontario beekeepers better protect their colonies over the winter and protect against invasive pests such as varroa mites, which pose a serious threat to honey bee health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo many of the crops grown across Ontario depend on healthy bee populations,\u201d said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, in a press release on May 21, 2024. \u201cWe\u2019re expanding this vitally important support for our beekeepers so they can safeguard their livelihoods and keep their honey bee colonies healthy and sustainable.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Honey Bee Health Initiative<\/span><\/a>, made possible through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), opened on September 15, 2023, with a budget of over $1.3 million. According to the release, 218 projects have been approved to date. This initiative builds on previous programs, such as the back-to-back Honey Bee Health Management initiatives offered under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHoney bees play an important role in our agriculture and food industry as well as in Ontario\u2019s ecosystem,\u201d said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. \u201cThis increase to the Honey Bee Health Initiative demonstrates our governments’ commitment to the bee sector and production of honey throughout the province.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This initiative, delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), will directly contribute to the goals outlined in the Grow Ontario Strategy. Its outcomes are expected to help support food supply chain stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOntario\u2019s beekeepers and the honey bee industry are integral parts of Ontario\u2019s food supply and food security,\u201d said Ian Grant, President of the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA). \u201cThe OBA welcomes the Ontario government\u2019s further investments into our industry, and thanks Minister Thompson and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership for their continued support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada\u2019s agriculture, agri\u2010food and agri\u2010based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially\/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Quick Facts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n