Manitoba beekeepers affected by significant winter losses in 2021/22 will receive government support to rebuild their hives. Approximately 115,000 hives exist in the province, mostly owned by commercial beekeepers. Manitoba experienced a 57% loss of colonies, higher than the typical 30% loss.
To restore production, eligible commercial beekeepers with 50 or more hives can apply for assistance under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and AgriRecovery programs to purchase replacement hives. Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson made the announcement.
Ian Steppler, Chair of the Manitoba Beekeepers Association, expressed gratitude for the government's support in recovering from challenges like drought, snowstorms, and bee shortages. The industry, consisting of 250 commercial beekeepers, produces 18-20 million pounds of honey valued at $50-60 million.
"Manitoba beekeepers have faced consecutive and compounding challenges over the past few years, including drought in 2021, spring snow storms, and a shortage of replacement honey bee stock, many producers were left short of honey bees for the 2022 season. The support announced by the government today will help Manitoba producers accelerate the recovery from of this extraordinary winter loss event." said Steppler. We appreciate the investment into our industry and we appreciate the recognition of the importance of the value that our industry brings to the agricultural landscape."
The honey bee industry contributes up to $150 million to Manitoba's agricultural production and plays a vital role in pollinating key crops.
What is the AgriRecovery Fund? The AgriRecovery Fund is a financial assistance program implemented by the government to help farmers recover from natural disasters or other unforeseen challenges that adversely affect their agricultural production. The fund provides emergency support to cover extraordinary costs incurred by farmers, such as animal feed, transportation, and clean-up expenses. It aims to help farmers quickly resume their operations and ensure the stability of the agricultural sector. The AgriRecovery Fund provides timely and targeted assistance, allowing farmers to overcome the immediate impacts of disasters and mitigate the long-term effects on their livelihoods and the overall food supply chain.