The PEI Wild Blueberry Growers Association has been informed that a discussion concerning a significant amount of incorrect and/or unclear information was ongoing on a Facebook page. The following is intended to correct and/or clarify parts of that discussion. The corrections follow the chronological order of posts – more or less- in the original posting: • All beekeepers attempt to keep healthy hives and import bees as part of the overall management of their operation, whether pollination of crops (blueberries, apples, cranberries, canola, borage, pumpkins, etc.) or honey production (or both) is their goal. • A general principle with disease/parasite prevention and livestock/wildlife is to restrict movement between areas with different disease profiles. In most cases these are based on political divisions or borders. PEI and NS shared disease profile with Hawaii, New Zealand and parts of Australia, so movements were more permissive (however inspection, certification and permits were still required). The beekeepers wanted access to mite resistant genetic stock that was/is only available from mite positive areas. Historic evidence indicates that parasites and diseases don’t recognize provincial borders and eventually move to new habitats. A majority of the beekeepers preferred to be proactive and build resistance. Submitted samples indicated that the Tracheal Mite was already established in PEI prior to any bee movements that followed the border opening. Similarly, Varroa Mites successfully colonized both PEI and NS despite a “closed” border. • The bureaucrats listened to the beekeepers, who asked for the border to be opened following a majority vote of the Beekeepers Association members. There is no oxymoron or conflict of interest involved with the Berry Crop Development Officer and Provincial Apiarist position being held by the same person due to the co-dependence of berries and bees. Berry growers need pollination and beekeepers appreciate the revenue. • The beekeepers were divided but a clear majority (including non blueberry growers) voted to open the border. The desire to open the border existed in the Beekeepers Association for the past 10 years at least. The PEI Wild Blueberry Growers Association financially supports the Beekeepers Association with an annual financial donation. The Beekeepers Association was incorporated by a mixture of blueberry owning and non blueberry owning beekeepers after the dissolution of the Beekeepers Co-operative.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:29:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015