National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Bee Industry - Questions and Answers

What is the National Farm-Level Biosecurity Standard for the Bee Industry?

The standard is a voluntary tool that beekeepers can use to build and/or improve existing farm-level biosecurity programs. The standard offers a consistent national approach to controlling major bee pests and disease in the industry.

What is farm-level biosecurity?

Farm-level biosecurity is a series of best management practices designed to help prevent, and or control the introduction and spread of disease.

How was this standard developed?

The standard was developed over two years through a partnership with the honey bee, bumblebee and alfalfa leafcutting bee industries and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). It was developed in collaboration with producers, industry associations, academia, and provincial governments. Funding was provided by the Growing Forward policy initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

What does the standard consist of?

Canadian beekeepers have a long-standing tradition of practicing biosecurity. The standard offers goals, objectives and measurable targets for all beekeepers from small-scale to large-scale operations.

The standard is broken into two sections: bee health management and operations management. For example, advice is provided about best practices for production inputs such as treatment products for pest management, products used for cleaning and disinfection, feed and water, and some materials used in hives or nests.

What else is Canada doing to protect its domestic bee population?

Canada employs biosecurity measures on its borders, preventing the importation of bees from certain countries. The CFIA uses risk assessments and disease evaluations to look for, among other things, drug resistance or the potential for disease causing pathogens (mites, viruses and bacteria) in imported bees. When unacceptable risk levels are found, the importation of bees from that source is blocked. In order to protect domestic bee colonies, imported packaged bees can only be sourced from Chile, Australia and New Zealand at this time.

Where can I get more information?

To request an electronic copy of the standard or to learn more about biosecurity visit the CFIA’s website at www.inspection.gc.ca/biosecurity.