B.C. beekeepers eye effects of pesticides
Widespread honeybee deaths in Ontario offer glimpse of what may happen to populations here
B.C. beekeepers met in Kamloops on Friday to learn about the impacts of pesticide use on bee colonies.
A special panel discussion at the B.C. Honey Producers’ Association convention focused on pesticidelinked honeybee deaths in Ontario and ways to prevent local losses.
“Although large-scale pesticide-honeybee problems have not been evident in B.C. so far, the recent developments in Ontario agriculture give a Canadian perspective on potential repercussions if it were to happen here,” said BCHPA president Catherine Culley.
While B.C. bees have typically fared better than their eastern cousins — Ontario overwinter losses were estimated at 58 per cent last year — some parts of the province saw losses of 32 per cent in 2013.
Culley said colony collapse is a complex problem that is likely caused by a variety of factors.
Routine pesticide use on crops is believed to be a contributing factor.
Friday’s panel was designed to allow beekeepers to learn about pesticide use in crops, as well as the Ontario situation.
“We want to keep a happy relationship with growers,” she said, noting that in Ontario there have been tensions between farmers and beekeepers. “We want to show the growers that we’re on side, and we want to work together on this.”
B.C. bees produce about two million pounds of honey each year, while also playing a vital role in agriculture.
Pollination services account for about $200 million in farm production, largely in B.C.’s blueberry, cranberry and tree fruit sectors.
Culley said farmers seem eager to work with beekeepers to prevent local problems.
It is unclear how B.C. bees fared this winter.
Any benefit from the unseasonably warm weather could be knocked out if a sudden cold spell makes it hard for bees to find food.
“We can’t do a real count until May,” said Culley, although she admitted early anecdotal evidence suggests the bees may have had a better winter than last year.