This past weekend the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture (ATTTA) put on a joint event with the Newfoundland and Labrador Beekeeping Association (NLBKA). The event involved discussions between ATTTA, NLBKA, the NL Provincial Apiarist, and representatives from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. The team also facilitated a course called “You Want to be a Beekeeper”, which provided essential information for new beekeepers. Read today’s blog to learn more about this event, and what is occurring in the Newfoundland and Labrador beekeeping industry.
Summary of Joint Event Between ATTTA and NLBKA
This past Saturday night, important discussions took place
in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland about the NL beekeeping industry. All
members of the NLBKA were invited to attend this meeting in-person or virtually
and provided the opportunity to participate in discussions with representatives
from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, and members of the
executive of the NLBKA. The Atlantic
Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture was privileged to participate in these
conversations.
Many important topics came up during this discussion, some
of which included: NL beekeeper registration, apiary inspections, restrictions
and regulations for transporting bees and equipment within NL, keeping NL
Varroa mite free, continued education for new and existing NL beekeepers, and biosecurity
practices. Additionally, there was a virtual presentation from Fletcher
Colpitts (Retired New Brunswick Chief Apiary Inspector) on the findings from
his June 2023 NL hive inspections. The event was very well attended by NLBKA
members across the province, and the discussion that occurred highlighted the
dedication NL beekeepers have for keeping their province Varroa mite free,
while working towards growing their industry.
The joint event continued Sunday September 17th, where
ATTTA and NLBKA provided a course titled “You Want to be a Beekeeper”. This was
a preliminary course for anyone thinking of becoming a beekeeper. Topics
covered included: history of beekeeping, beekeeping regulation in NL, some of
the challenges and benefits of becoming a beekeeper, considerations for apiary
locations, hive products, pollination in NL, selling bees, beekeeping equipment
and associated costs, and a brief discussion on the importance of keeping NL
Varroa mite free. The course was a great insight for people considering
becoming either a hobbyist or commercial scale beekeeper.
A common theme of the weekend was the importance of keeping NL
Varroa mite free. It is illegal to import bees and used equipment without a
permit from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Both the NL Government
and NLBKA agree that this policy will not change while NL remains Varroa mite
free, and it is a main goal of the NL beekeeping industry to keep Varroa out of
their province. Currently, Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the last places
in the world that remains free of this damaging parasite. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of all beekeepers to help Newfoundland and Labrador remain
Varroa free. If you want to learn more about Varroa mites, and how NL works to
remain free of the pest, read the “Varroa Action Plan of Newfoundland and
Labrador”: https://www.nlbeekeeping.com/varroa-action-plan.
Connecting with ATTTA Specialists
If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:
visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/
Email abyers@perennia.ca