Thank you, Mr. Chair.
It's good to be back with you. Thanks for inviting me, in the context of your study on the environmental contribution of agriculture, to this discussion about pollinator mortality.
I thank the committee for dedicating time specifically to Canada's beekeeping sector.
Honeybee pollination is an important aspect of food security—from canola to berries to tree fruits, to vegetables.
The federal government, along with the provincial and territorial governments, continue to work closely together to help Canadian beekeepers meet contemporary challenges in order to contribute to maintaining a sustainable beekeeping population. As well, federal business risk management programs are there to help beekeepers facing financial losses. This includes including mortality coverage under AgriInsurance. Federal, provincial and territorial support for the sector will continue for the next five years under a new agreement, the sustainable Canadian agricultural partnership.
The department also supports leading-edge research in the bee sector, including our work at the Beaverlodge Research Farm in Alberta, on the detection and management of bee diseases and pests.
In fact, I had very much hoped today to be joined by a colleague, Dr. Stephen Pernal, who is from Beaverlodge, Alberta. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, he won't be able to participate here today, but I hope that at some point the committee will have an opportunity to benefit from his expertise and hear from him directly.
Among the projects he's involved in, he's among the AAFC scientists partnering with several Canadian universities on genomics research to help increase detection of the effects of pesticides on honeybees so producers can take quick action to make any management changes they need.
From 2014 to 2017, we collaborated on a national surveillance project to establish a bee health database in Canada to help track pests, pathogens and chemical residues in Canadian honeybee colonies.
To help beekeepers build resilience and sustain and grow their hives, last year we launched a joint industry-government honeybee sustainability working group. This working group has been looking at short- and long-term solutions to respond to overwinter losses and other challenges to produce and maintain a high quality of honeybees and colonies.
The working group developed an action plan to improve the long-term sustainability of Canadian beekeeping, honey and pollination sectors. The plan, along with its recommendations, will be shared with federal, provincial and territorial ministers at their annual conference in a couple of months' time.
The working group covered topics such as federal-provincial technology transfer teams and programs, AI and other techniques in the pipeline, the development of varroa control products and methods, maintaining and increasing domestic bee supplies, and addressing import bee supplies.
This effort was a broad-based undertaking, involving FPT governments and provincial beekeeping associations as well as the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists and the Canadian Honey Council, from whom you'll be hearing very shortly.
Right across Canada, our beekeepers continue to work diligently to grow their operations. For our part, we will continue to consult with all, including the Canadian Honey Council, the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada and other key provincial and industry stakeholders.
To conclude, the federal government remains fully engaged and focused in supporting this important driver of our sector, our food security and our economy.
Thank you again. I look forward to our discussion.