Agriculture committee  When we do a risk analysis, we assess the acceptable risk. What is the acceptability of the risk? When we did the risk analysis for packages of bees from the U.S., the risk associated with the dangers mentioned was significant. When we assess that the risk is not acceptable, we must ensure that we evaluate the mitigation and control measures taken before imports are permitted.

Agriculture committee  We did a risk analysis for packaged bees from the United States, and there are currently no mitigation measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Agriculture committee  Yes. I'd also like to point out that, since bees fly, this situation doesn't carry the same risks as the intentional introduction of a hive of 8,000 to 12,000 bees packaged for import. In 2022, beekeepers imported 56,000 packages of bees. We're talking about twice as many packages of imported bees.

Agriculture committee  Perhaps Mr. Pernal from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada can answer this question about bee transportation.

Agriculture committee  At the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, we follow a rigorous risk analysis process. When we go through that process, we assess the risks based on the information we receive from the exporting country as well as the monitoring programs and measures in place. When we assessed the situation in Ukraine, we obviously had a lot of discussions.