My name is Jeremy Olthof, and I am the past-president of the Alberta Beekeepers Commission. The commission submitted a brief providing information in regard to how honeybees benefit the environment, as well as the challenges faced by the commercial industry regarding honeybee health decline and bee mortality. Rather than reiterating that information, I'm going to start by presenting what we believe are valid recommendations to resolve these issues.
The commission recommends that improvements to the regulatory system for beekeeping be a top priority. Based on peer reviews of the 2013 risk assessment, the assessment is based primarily on confirmation bias, not fact. We need a regulatory agency that is willing to meet and work more collaboratively with industry, rely on first-hand knowledge rather than hearsay, acknowledge the industry and their expertise, and respond in a timely manner.
Most critically, CFIA must have staff who are knowledgeable in honeybees and commercial beekeeping. The Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists, CAPA, is insufficient as a consultant to CFIA. CFIA relies on CAPA, a volunteer organization, when honeybee scientific expertise is needed. CFIA should be taking a more holistic risk-benefit viewpoint that considers the realities that beekeepers are facing. Let me be clear: the issue is not CAPA as an organization, but rather CFIA's complete reliance on them to provide industry reports and to update current risks to the industry. It is long overdue that CFIA gives the beekeeping industry the respect and time it deserves.
Second, we need quick turnaround time within PMRA regarding new treatments to manage varroa. As with CFIA, there's no expertise or recognition of the importance of this industry in PMRA.
The Alberta Beekeepers Commission strongly recommends that Canada reopen the U.S.-Canada border, specifically northern California, to the importation of U.S. packaged honeybees within the existing framework of protocols to mitigate risks.
Finally, the commission strongly recommends federal funding for our provincial tech transfer teams to work on federally beneficial surveillance, applied research and extension services.
This committee needs to understand that beekeeping in Canada is vastly different from coast to coast. What works in B.C. does not necessarily work in Alberta or Nova Scotia. Domestic stock and self-sustainability can work in many areas of Canada if beekeepers are given the tools. Quality imported stock needs to be a reliable source for those beekeepers when self-sustainability fails.
Thank you for your time.