Thank you very much. Thank you for the invitation.
I had submitted my speaking notes, which I hope can be distributed. They're only a two-pager, short and sweet.
I'd like to really switch a little bit to the academic discussion about the risks associated with some of the causes that have led to the high mortality rate. There is a table that I included. Prior to 1987, the average winter mortality that Canadian beekeepers experienced was roughly 10%. Over the last few decades it has been increasing. Today, we have persistent winter mortality rates of over 30%. That is not sustainable. I think we are collectively going to run into serious problems with crop pollination and things of that kind, as we have these kinds of losses. I don't speak on behalf of any beekeeper; I'm just looking at the larger picture.
Here in British Columbia, the blueberry industry is worth $400 million. It is absolutely and completely dependent on the presence of honeybee colonies for pollination services. British Columbia doesn't even have enough honeybee colonies to service that industry. We rely on the seasonal presence of prairie beekeepers to come down and bring their bees for pollination services.