Alberta beekeepers in line for COVID-19 government support

Jun 5, 2020 | 4:22 PM

EDMONTON, AB. — Agriculture and Forestry has introduced a new Canadian Agricultural Partnership program, in response to challenges faced by Alberta’s beekeepers.

Up to $1 million will help beekeepers offset the costs of increased colony replacements due to COVID-19. The pandemic has made importing colony replacements from usual, more affordable sources like New Zealand and Australia more difficult.

The program will support 168 commercial beekeepers in the province and will help the sector adapt to emerging challenges
and overcome over-wintering losses in a COVID-19
environment. It is anticipated that the $1-million program will be able to support about 13,000 replacement colonies.

Producing 41-million pounds annually and contributing $67 million to the economy, Alberta is the largest producer of honey in Canada.

As Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen notes, it isn’t just the sweet honey produced by the bees that is important to the province.

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“Beekeepers not only help pollinate important crops across Alberta, they make delicious honey products. They have a crucial role in Alberta’s agriculture sector, which is why we are committed to supporting beekeepers with an investment of up to $1 million. This new program will keep our bee industry competitive after this difficult year.”

Program details are still being developed but, producers are encouraged to subscribe to Alberta’s Canadian Agricultural Partnership site, where information will be shared as it becomes available.

The program is available this summer and will be retroactive to cover issues faced in spring 2020.

Watch for more information here > Canadian Agricultural Partnership – Alberta

by Dori Modney