Mr. Chair, I thank the hon. member for the question.
I will answer it, although I should preface it. If my CFIA colleagues were able to join, the regulator could give a more authoritative answer.
My understanding is that for any potential foreign source of bees, the CFIA will undertake a risk assessment of that country.
The member is quite right that a large number of the packaged bees come from the southern hemisphere, in part reflecting the work done by the working group. Some other geographic priorities have recently been identified as potential sources. My understanding is that the CFIA has now authorized the importing of packaged bees from Italy. I know we're in active discussions with Ukraine. I believe Ukraine has also been approved as a source of bees. It's based on a risk assessment of the relative risks of bringing in bees from that country.
In terms of packaged bees versus queens, my layperson's understanding is that with a larger number of animals, it's harder to screen them visually or otherwise. That's why they are perceived to be a higher risk than the importation of queens.