Fears Bee City request could stir up NOTL hornet’s nest
Niagara-on-the-Lake may become the next municipality in the region to declare itself a Bee City, but a town councillor believes there could be opposition from the farming community.
Renee Delaney, representing the Niagara Farm Project, asked councillors Monday to join St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Toronto and other cities across the country to promote initiatives that encourage pollination by bees.
“Why are bees dying?” she asked, suggesting that insecticides could play a role in the diminishing insect population.
“Bees are directly related to the food system,” said Delaney. “As individuals, we don’t necessarily know what to do about it.”
Applications can be made to Bee City Canada by municipalities, schools, businesses and other organizations that want to take action to protect pollinators. Program participants must commit to creating, maintaining or improving pollinator habitat and educating their community about the importance of these initiatives.
Coun. Betty Disero objected to a suggestion by another councillor that Delaney’s request be sent to the town’s agricultural committee. She said the committee could have concerns about the role of pesticides and the possibility of more restrictions on the farming community.
“I think we will get a big, fat no,” said Disero. “What I don’t want to do is kill it right off the bat by sending it to the wrong committee.”
She said the communities in bloom committee, which has planted pollinator gardens, would be a better choice to send the request to before coming back to council.
Coun. Paolo Miele said bees have been used extensively by farmers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“Every farmer … knows we need bees to pollinate fruit,” he said. “It needs to be a community initiative.”
Council decided to refer the
Bee City discussion to both committees.