Beekeepers estimate that their bees are at least four to six weeks behind where they should be at this time of
year.
One in five beekeepers suspects pesticides as the cause of colony losses. Neonicotinoids, the most common
pesticide used in Ontario, was recently the subject of an EU total ban to protect both wild and honey bees.2 3
Despite legislation adopted in Ontario to reduce their use, neonics are still being used on 75% of Ontario corn and
soy crops, despite the government’s goal of reducing usage to 20%.
Heavy overwinter losses and cold spring weather will also hold back Ontario queen producers and sellers of bees
relied on to replace lost colonies. Most queen producers cannot fill new orders until July, which is late in the
season. Beekeepers are finding that surviving colonies are not strong enough to use to build back their colony
numbers.
Loss of colonies, failing queens and a slow colony buildāup means fewer colonies are available to pollinate
Ontario’s fruit and vegetable crops. Honey bees are responsible for 90% of apple production.4 Almost $900 million
worth of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable crops rely on bees for pollination.5 In addition to their importance for food
production, pollination services are an important part of a beekeeper’s income.
“It is demoralizing and devastating for beekeepers to experience such losses,” adds Coneybeare. “Honey bees and
wild bees are just too important for everyone. We cannot allow this industry to fail.”
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Source : Ontario Beekeepers Association