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Sarnia

GFO: Bee Winter Loss Numbers Suggest Neonic Regs 'Unnecessary'

Grain Farmers of Ontario Chair Mark Brock says he's pleased to see the latest bee wintering loss numbers.

Brock suggests those numbers reinforce that Ontario's rush to restrict neonics was unnecessary.

The Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists reports the national percentage of colony winter losses for 2015-16 was almost 17 per cent.

That's similar to the 2014-15 winter losses - and the third lowest loss percentage since the national survey began in 2007.

Individual provincial losses ranged from 7 point 7 to 24 point 4 per cent.

Ontario's reported losses came in slightly above the national average at 17 point 93 per cent.

According to CAPA - winter losses show a declining trend in Canada since 2010.

The report cites poor queens, varroa mites, weak colonies and weather conditions as the top 4 possible causes of colony losses across Canada.

The Association says despite wintering losses in recent years, Canadian beekeepers have been able to replace their dead colonies and increase the number of colonies by 22 point 4 per cent.

The report is based on a survey of beekeepers in each province.

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