Apiaries abuzz over ruling against widening cross-border trade in live honeybees
The recent dismissal of a class-action lawsuit regarding the regulations surrounding the cross-border live bee trade has brought to light the political divisions within Canada’s beekeeping community. The lawsuit, brought forth by commercial beekeepers from Western Canada, sought damages for the restrictions placed on shipping live honeybees across the Canada-U.S. border due to concerns about the introduction of aggressive pests and diseases.
One of the representative plaintiffs in the case, Michael Paradis of Paradis Honey Ltd., expressed disappointment with the ruling, stating that it puts beekeepers in a precarious position at a time when the industry is already facing significant challenges. The beekeeping industry in Canada has been struggling, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when disruptions in transportation made it difficult to import bees and winter losses in 2022 were devastating.
Brent Ash, a commercial beekeeper from Manitoba, emphasized the impact of the ruling on beekeepers in colder regions like the Prairies, where the majority of Canada’s beekeepers are located. He highlighted the difficulties of keeping bee populations alive during harsh winters, noting that honeybees are not native to North America.
While some beekeepers argue that the government’s risk assessments are exaggerated and are harming their businesses, others, like Steve Moore, president of the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, stress the importance of maintaining strict regulations to prevent the introduction of harmful pathogens and pests. Moore acknowledged the challenges faced by beekeepers but emphasized the need to prioritize bee health and safety.
The lawsuit centered around a decades-old partial ban on importing live worker bees from the U.S., which expired in 2006 but has not been reinstated. The plaintiffs argued that the government owed them a duty of care and sought damages amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. However, the judge ruled against awarding damages, stating that there was no negligence on the part of the government.
The issue of live bee imports has been a long-standing concern, dating back to the 1980s when fears of infectious mites decimating Canadian bee populations were prevalent. While Canada allows imports of queen bees from select countries, the restrictions on worker bee packages remain in place due to the higher risk of disease introduction.
Despite the ruling, beekeepers like John Gibeau and Michael Paradis continue to advocate for changes to the regulations surrounding live bee imports. Paradis emphasized the importance of quality bee stock and timely shipments for the industry’s sustainability. The lawsuit was intended to prompt discussions with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) about the import ban, and Paradis noted that progress has been made in recent years.
The honeybee pollination industry plays a significant role in Canada’s economy, contributing billions of dollars annually. With nearly 800,000 beehives in the country, beekeepers are dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of their colonies while navigating the challenges posed by regulations and environmental factors.
