Agriculture committee  That's a good question. For the last three years we've faced pretty big losses, as everyone is aware. We applied for ag-recovery funds. We petitioned or lobbied for more research facilities, more researchers, more educators, and nothing was coming our way. So we joined with th

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning. I would like to thank the honourable members of the standing committee for allowing me the opportunity to come before you to discuss some of the issues regarding youth in Canadian agriculture. To provide some background on myself, I'm a s

Agriculture committee  Very much so.

Agriculture committee  I can speak from personal history with it. This past year we shipped a load of honey out—I believe we are a leader in the food safety area in our industry—and the honey being tested came back saying we had high levels of lead in the honey. We have samples of every lot and we kee

Agriculture committee  Federally, I don't believe there's been anything in the way of cuts in research, but neither has there been an increase in research money going to our industry. I believe the only federal research facility we have is in Beaverlodge, which is way up in northern Alberta. This is fi

Agriculture committee  I think it's very important. Our industry has been lucky that ours has gone through relatively easily. Now it's a matter of getting it enforced. We understand that consumer demands and things along those lines require having imported honey coming in. I have no problems with that

Agriculture committee  That's why, in the past, it used to be Canada Number 1 White. That's what all honey was called, because it was based on the colour, not the content. That's why it's now Canada Grade Number 1, 2, or 3 for Canadian honey only, and the blended or imported honey is Grade Number 1, 2,

Agriculture committee  Most definitely.

Agriculture committee  Thank you for your question. The biggest thing we're lacking is extension support, provincially and federally. In Alberta this year we finally got approval to create a bee health program, and that's a joint project with the Alberta Beekeepers, its producers or members; the Alber

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to thank the committee for allowing me the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Canadian honey industry, and I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have. I feel I should provide some background as to my involvement in agriculture. I am fr