Harper Government Invests in Biosecurity and Food Safety for the Bee Sector

News Release

June 20, 2014 – Beaverlodge, Alberta – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Member of Parliament Chris Warkentin (Peace River), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, today attended the 61st Annual Beekeepers’ Field Day at the Beaverlodge Research Farm and announced an investment of over $340,000 to the Canadian Honey Council (CHC) to enhance food safety and biosecurity standards for beekeeping.

The CHC recently updated its Canadian Bee Industry Safety Quality program, and this investment will allow them to develop various communication, training and outreach materials that will help Canadian beekeepers access the information and tools needed to maintain high standards for food safety and bee biosecurity within their beekeeping operations.

Quick facts

Formed in 1940 as the Canadian Beekeepers Council, the CHC assists in negotiating fair practices for labeling, grading, and marketing honey at the national level.
Honeybees are vital for the pollination of fruit, vegetables and hybrid canola seed. The value of honeybees to pollination of crops is estimated at over $2 billion annually.
Canada produces 75 million pounds of honey annually, half of which is exported.
This investment is made through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's AgriMarketing Program, a five-year, $341-million initiative under Growing Forward 2.

Quotes

“A healthy bee population means a healthy agriculture sector, and our government is pleased to support projects that safeguard our bees and contribute to a healthy ecosystem. Bees are also critical to our economy, as honey continues to be a valuable Canadian export.”

- Member of Parliament Chris Warkentin

“We are extremely pleased that the Government of Canada has continued to recognize the importance of food safety and biosecurity. This grant will ensure that beekeepers across Canada will have access to information and programming that addresses consumers’ growing awareness of food safety issues.”

- Rod Scarlett, Executive Director, Canadian Honey Council

Additional links

Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
AgriMarketing Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Canadian Honey Council

Contacts

Emily Hogeveen
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada

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2016-12-14

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Harper Government Invests in Biosecurity and Food Safety for the Bee Sector

News Release

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