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Chronic lack of pollination services is hobbling the blueberry industry
by The Grower
Karen Davidson
From coast to coast, blueberry growers are worried about the chronic insufficient bee colonies available to service the industry.
The Berry Working Group under the auspices of the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) met recently in Vancouver. Kevin Byers, a Prince Edward Island member of the group, summarizes the issues and implications.
Blueberry production without pollination is not sustainable, or profitable. Currently the pollination services provided in Canada represent only 50 per cent of the requirements. Lack of pollination services in Canada is not a new problem, but it has been challenged to a deeper degree for a multitude of reasons.
1. Beekeepers not able to access sufficient bee packages at an affordable cost and at appropriate timing to build colonies ready for pollination.
2. COVID restrictions caused disruptions in international transportation of imported packages resulting in fewer packages and untimely arrivals.
3. High over-wintering losses across Canada has resulted in “HIGH “need for replacement and no growth.
4. Federal and provincial regulations and protocols regarding health and transportation.
5. Large commercial beekeepers are exiting, changing the focus of their operation, or downsizing because of financial and regulatory issues.
6. Labour and transportation costs.
There have been many different groups working to address the issues, but frustration is brewing as, year over year, growers are unable to source sufficient colonies for adequate pollination. Compounding the pollination shortage, rental costs are escalating often for a less robust product due to so much splitting of hives to provide colony numbers rather than colony strength.
The Industry-Government
Honey Bee Sustainability Working Group’s priorities presented to the Berry Working Group at the FVGC AGM worry growers. That’s due to the lack of industry contributions to the four action plans which, growers note, are a continuation of best management practices.
“Industry doesn’t need more bureaucracy but progressive actions recognizing that food security is at stake,” states Byers. “Growers feel that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA),
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and any other necessary stakeholders need to conduct a risk tolerance as well as the health risk assessment on U.S. honeybees and develop a working relationship with U.S. counterparts and their state apiarists.”
Such action would allow for an open Canada/ U.S. border for access to reasonably priced, safe packages and queens to allow for a flourishing Canadian honey, fruits and vegetable industry. It’s hoped that proper timing of packages can help build strong colonies and eliminate the need for costly air transportation. Representatives from CFIA and USDA attended the meetings.
