Resolutions Approved at the MBA AGM 17 November 2010
See each resolution for its’ current status (Its’ associated board action)
1. SMALL HIVE BEETLE IN CANADA
WHEREAS Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida) was discovered on September 8, 2010 in Ontario, in an area close to the Michigan, USA border, and
WHEREAS Ontario quarantined and monitored some areas for infestation, and
WHEREAS although it appears this pest failed to establish an endemic population where invaded previously in MB and AB, and
WHEREAS on going investigation into the possible establishment of SHB in QC, is pointing toward the beetle not being able to establish a endemic breeding population, and
WHEREAS honey bees move interprovincially such as ON to Maritimes, ON to MB/AB, MB to BC, and BC to AB/MB,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that MBA work closely with other provinces to ensure protocol flexibility while mitigating risk of SHB dispersal during interprovincial movement of honey bees.
a) Dec 8, 2010: To Stock Replacement Committee
b) May 2011: CHC working with CFIA on import protocols needed for Hawaii Queens, since SHB found in Spring 2011 shipments in Alberta and Manitoba. Shipping containers destined for Canada need to be stored in freezer prior to use.
c) May 2011: Ontario reported survival of SHB and are maintaining their quarantine zone resytrictions. MBA monitoring ongoing activities and maintaining communications with Ontario staff.
d) October 2011: Ontario has expanded existing quarantine zone slightly as SHB found adjacent to original zone, thus maintaining control of potential spread. Quebec continue monitoring of original sites after eradication of original SHB surviving winter.
2. FUMAGILIN-B LABEL EXPANSION.
WHEREAS Studies are underway by Dr. Pernal, Beaverlodge, AB, on how best to apply Fumagilin-B to control Nosema ceranae, and
WHEREAS preliminary results of the three year study are promising, and
WHEREAS Manitoba producers are anxious to have effective treatment options for Nosema disease control, and
WHEREAS MBA has recently encouraged Medivet to expand label directions to include additional methods of applying Fumagilin-B,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That MBA continue communications with Medivet Pharmaceuticals regarding timing of possible label expansion for Fumagilin-B.
a) Dec 8, 2010: To Pest and Pest management Committee
b) E-mail correspondence from Medivet confirming changes pending research confirmation
c) March 2011: Dr Steve Pernal spoke on Nosema research at MBA Symposium March 2011. He noted research data detailed in CHC Annual Report to be distributed with Hivelights in April.
3. APIVAR EUR
WHEREAS Provinces across Canada, under co-ordination of CHC, successfully applied for and received approval from PMRA for Emergency Use Registration of Apivar for the period 1July 2010 to 30 June 2011, and
WHEREAS producers continue to be concerned about the limited number of options for varroa mite control, and require the treatment option that Apivar provides
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that if Apivar is not registered by the expiration date of the EUR by June 30th, 2011, MBA work with other provinces to seek Emergency Use Registration of Apivar for 2011-2012 season.
a) Dec 8, 2010: To Pest and Pest management Committee
b) May 17, 2011: Letter to PMRA supporting Emergency Use Registration extension for Apivar.
c) June 22,2011: Response from PMRA that EUR has been approved for July 2011 to June 30, 2012.
d) Summer 2011: MBA monitoring situation whereby full registration of Mite Away Quick Strips is being persued by the manufacturer.
e) September 2011: Due to late spring causing late fall honey flows, MBA sought EUR for MAQS. PMRA rejected this on Sept 7, in favour of keeping resources focused on full registration for fall.
4. QUEEN AVAILABILITY
WHEREAS Manitoba producers are needing honey bee queens in early spring, and
WHEREAS Hawaii, a traditional source, discovered Small Hive Beetle during spring 2010, and
WHEREAS small hive beetle has been discovered in MB, AB, QC and has appeared to fail to establish endemic population, and
WHEREAS protocol revisions were necessary to permit timely importation of Hawaii queens while mitigating risk of acquiring Small Hive Beetle in Canada, and
WHEREAS finding a replacement source of 80,000 quality queens if Hawaii were no longer permitted to export queen to Canada would be next to impossible at this point in time,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that even if risk mitigating conditions placed on importing queens from Hawaii cannot fully guarantee “zero” risk of acquiring Small Hive Beetle, Manitoba producers support continued importation of queens from Hawaii.
a)Dec 8, 2010: To Stock replacement Commttee
b) May 2011: CHC working on protocol revision with CFIA since SHB found in Queen shipments during May 2011 for both Alberta and Manitoba. Hawaii to store shipping crates in freezer proir to using for Canada imports.
c) June 2011: Queen imports received from Hawaii during June have been found free of any signs of SHB.
d) August 2011: MBA continues to moitor sitation in Hawaii (Apr 2010), as SHB is now found on Oahu (Nov 2010), Moloka (May 2011) and most recently on East Maui (July 2011). MAFRI is working with CFIA to inspect all queens imported from the area. After initial discovery of star larvae, no more evidence has been observed during 100% inspection levels.
5. INSPECTION PROGRAM
WHEREAS MBA contributes an annual Inspection Program Cost Recovery amount of $12,000 to the Province, and
WHEREAS MBA desires to reduce the Cost Recovery expense in it annual budget, and
WHEREAS MBA has negotiated with MAFRI to test a pilot program to bypass for one year, those producers having a disease free history, to see if inspection costs could be reduced while maintaining a reasonable inspection level, and
WHEAREAS MBA recognizes some producers are concern about missing a third party assessment under the traditional inspection program, and
WHEREAS the pilot program appears to have merit,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That MBA negotiate with the Province for a reduction in Cost Recovery amount from $12,000 to $10,000 by adopting a revised inspection criteria.
a)Dec 8, 2010: To Safety Net Committee
b) October: Pause in activity on this item as Small Hive Beetle and other issues may need inspection attention in 2012.
6. TEMPORARY WORKERS
WHEREAS Western Canada has a growing and fundamental need for both skilled and unskilled temporary foreign workers to maintain a healthy honey industry, and
WHEREAS Canadian embassies in other countries, such as Manila, have been extremely difficult to work with whenever many of our workers have been denied work visas for no credible reason, and
WHEREAS embassy staff, when pressed, reportedly admitted potential employees were deemed a ‘flight risk’ when actually there was a lack of communication and sufficient information gathered for processing applications, and
WHEREAS the Canadian honey industry will not function to it’s full potential without temporary foreign workers that can be accessed in a timely and forthright manner.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That MBA lobby AAFC and Citizenship & Immigration Canada to instruct embassy staff to be more supportive of Canadian beekeepers requests for qualified temporary foreign workers.
a)Dec 8, 2010: To Foreign Worker Committee
b) September 2011: Canadian Honey Council working on this issue. Federal Government procedure revisions have created difficulties in acquiring summer helpers. Appears to be political pressure to reduce temporary worker use.
7. APPRECIATION
WHEREAS: Beekeepers appreciate the inspection program and its assessment of both hobby and commercial operations, and
WHEREAS: Extension Staff support the beekeeping industry through organizing education and research symposiums,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that MBA inform the MB Ag Min or our appreciation for the work Rhéal and David do on our behalf
a) Dec 8 2010: MBA Board Chair to action
b) Jan 7 2011: Appreciation letter from MBA president faxed to Min Struthers (Resolution action complete)
8. CHILE QUEENS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: the MBA support efforts to have the CFIA negotiate a protocol with their counterparts in Chile, to allow Canadian sourced Apis Melifera genetic material to be imported into Chile for Queen Breeding purposes.
a) Dec 8, 2010: MBA Chair to clarify resolution intent prior to sending to Hive Health Committee of CHC
b) October 2011: Delegation from CHile to visit Manitoba to determine how quality genetics can be replicated under Chilean conditions and within their Queen Breeding program, since Chile is still SHB and African Hybrid Bee free.