NEEPAWA, Man. — Several people at last week’s Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association annual meeting slid forward in their seats when the topic shifted to pesticides, anticipating a spirited debate.
The meeting at a church hall in Neepawa didn’t devolve into a raucous affair, but beekeepers did ex-press concerns about the vilification of neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides that may be killing bees in North America.
“Neonicotinoids have been blown way out of proportion…. I think we need a balanced response that’s not overreacting to this,” said Rob Smith, who raises bees north of Winnipeg.
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“Let’s not jump on one bandwagon and say this is killing the bees be-cause clearly that’s not true.”
Earlier this year, beekeeper associations in Ontario and Quebec called for a ban on neonicotinoids, which are widely used as insecticidal seed treatments on corn, soybean and canola crops.
The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, in particular, has led a public campaign against neonics after thousands of dead bees were found in bee yards in the province during the springs of 2012 and 2013.
Following an investigation, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency determined that insecticide-laden dust from corn planters was the primary cause of the bee deaths.
Smith and others at the Neepawa meeting said varroa mites, viruses and overwintering losses also contribute to bee deaths, and a public campaign solely blaming neonico-tinoids is misleading.
Bryan Ash, a Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association director, said the Ontario and Quebec campaigns are driving a wedge between honey producers and growers.
“It could have the potential to hurt western beekeepers,” said Ash, who is from Gilbert Plains, Man. “In the East they do a lot of pollination. We don’t get paid for our pollination services. We put our hives on the farmers’ fields to gain nectar and honey. That’s how we make our living.”
He said corn, soybean and canola growers may react if beekeeping associations blame them for bee deaths.
“We could be asked to move our hives off their (land),” he said.
Ash said Canadian beekeepers should take a measured position on bees and neonicotinoids based on the best available science.
Smith agreed and suggested that Manitoba apiarists publicly state they oppose a ban to restore relationships with corn and canola growers.
“I think the Manitoba beekeepers should be getting out there and (advocating) a more balanced approach.”
Dan Davidson, president of the Ontario association, acknowledged a difference of opinion from province to province on neonics.
However, Ontario apiarists are trying for only a provincial ban, not national action, said Davidson, who farms near Watford, Ont.
Advocating for a ban comes with risks, such as offending corn growers, Davidson said.
However, beekeepers have no choice.
“We’re not going to have bees if the way these neonics are being used continues,” he said.
