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Ontario Bee Group Not Supporting National Health Survey

The Ontario Beekeepers Association says it does not support the National Bee Health Survey.

That survey started last year and runs through to 2018.

It's being conducted by the National Bee Diagnostic Centre in Alberta.

The goal is to establish a baseline of the overall health of honey bees in Canada over a four year period.

However, the OBA suggests while the study may be helpful to beekeepers in some provinces, it won't be in Ontario.

The Association says Ontario already has an extensive program of bee inspectors who monitor hives and keep beekeepers informed about the health of their bees.

The OBA also argues any national study must have, as an objective, colony pesticide analysis to assess both the variety and quantity of pesticides present in honey bee hives to get it's support.

The national survey currently underway is focussing on viruses and pests affecting honey bees.

Doctor Carlos Castillo of the National Bee Diagnostic Centre says their study will help identify any pathogenic trend within provincial regions, between provinces and at the national level.

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