Governments Invest in Increasing Bee Population in Nova Scotia

News Release

March 10, 2015 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Department of Agriculture has extended a program to increase and support bee production in Nova Scotia, federal Agriculture Minister Ritz and provincial Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell announced today.

The Pollination Expansion Program provides assistance to beekeepers to increase honeybee colony numbers by increasing or purchasing bees, queens, brood combs, frames and equipment.

Quick facts

The Pollination Expansion Program will be funded under Growing Forward 2, the five year framework agreement for agriculture which is cost shared 60-40 between the federal and provincial governments.
Funding of $150,000 will be available during the 2015-16 fiscal year, with a $25,000 cap per applicant.
Under Growing Forward 2, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Provincial Government have committed $37 million over five years for programs that will benefit the local industry.
The Pollination Expansion Program was first introduced in 2012 as a three-year initiative to increase the number of hives available for pollination services in the province by 4000 colonies.
Based on the applications for 2014-15, the applicants are on target to exceed the initial goal of 4,000 new hives, helping Nova Scotia grow its entire agricultural industry.
For more information or to apply for the Nova Scotia Pollination Expansion program, visit www.novascotia.ca/agri/programs-and-services/financial-funding

Quotes

“Our Government understands the fundamental role bees play in keeping Canadian agriculture strong. Using a science-based approach, we continue to invest in a healthy bee population to support farmers, grow the industry and our overall economy."
- Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"When you think about what bees do, they pollinate all of the crops in our province, such as blueberry, apple and cranberry. When we invest in bee production, we invest in every aspect of our agricultural industry."
- Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell

"I was very happy to see the Pollination Expansion Program extended this year. This program gives beekeepers the opportunity to increase their hive numbers to keep up with the ever-growing pollination demand in our province."
- Paul Kittilsen, President of the Nova Scotia Beekeepers Association

Additional links

Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Nova Scotia Pollination Expansion Program Registration and Application

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

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

Krista Higdon
Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
902-424-8860
krista.higdon@novascotia.ca

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Governments Invest in Increasing Bee Population in Nova Scotia

News Release

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