A former president of the Dufferin Beekeepers Association has written Opposition Leader John Tory seeking his aid in addressing a mysterious high death rate among bees that play an important role in agriculture.

Randy Leitch of Orangeville said Ontario beekeepers have experienced unprecedented winter kills this year. "Losses are over double the normal rate. Many beekeepers are confronted with almost complete annihilation of their colonies."

He said the president of the Ontario Beekeepers' Association (OBA) will meet with Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at Queen's Park on May 28, 2007 to request financial assistance for rebuilding the industry. The funding the OBA seeks would provide $30 for every registered hive in Ontario to help counteract the continuing situation of the perpound cost of production of honey exceeding the selling price of honey. As well, the Minister will be asked to cover 90 per cent of the cost of purchasing replacement bees, queens and nucs.

"Also beekeepers across Ontario desperately need to know what has caused these fatalities," he said. The OBA has identified several research projects "that the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs must fund immediately."

He said the OBA Board of Directors wants Minister Dombrowsky and Premier Dalton McGuinty "to know that these issues affect people in every constituency in Ontario."

The OBA represents the majority of commercial beekeepers in Ontario as well as many smaller operators.

In his letter to Mr. Tory, Mr. Leitch described the situation as "critical."

Among his reasons for concern:

+ The OBA recently conducted a survey of commercial beekeepers in the province. High over wintering losses were reported in the Haldimand-Norfolk and Niagara areas and in limited areas of the Ottawa Valley and Durham. Losses range as high as 100 per cent. Some large commercial beekeepers lost the majority of their bees.

+ It is estimated that 30 per cent or more (almost 23,000 colonies) of the 76,000 beehives in Ontario have perished. Until five years ago "normal" winter losses were in the 10 per cent range. More recently, losses of up to 18 per cent have become normal. The losses this year are unprecedented in Ontario and represent a direct financial loss of bees of over $5 million. This figure does not include the value of lost honey production, unfulfilled pollination contracts, "and, most significantly, reduced fruit and vegetable yields due to lower pollination."

+ There will be considerably fewer honeybees in Ontario than last year. It will take time and expense to rebuild hives back to 2006 levels. If this year's losses were repeated in 2008, there would be far-reaching implications for our fruit and vegetable industry.

+ Ontario's fruit and vegetable producers are dependent on beekeepers' survival. Honey bees pollinate one quarter to one third of all fruit and vegetable crops. It is hoped that this year's crops will not be reduced as a result of a bee shortage. New Brunswick and Quebec already face pollinator shortages for fruit production. Ontario beekeepers export bees to these croplands for pollination service generating significant income for Ontario.

+ In the short term, beekeepers need financial assistance to ensure they will remain in business. There is a shortage of replacement bees available due to widespread losses both here and in the United States. Ontario beekeepers are helping one another by selling bees and even brood but this will significantly reduce Ontario's honey production income.

+ In the United States similar or even more severe losses are occurring and are attributed to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). CCD has not been well defined but the symptoms that have been identified do not appear to be the same as those seen in Ontario's dead colonies.

+ Even before the devastating winter loss of bees, the Ontario bee industry has been under tremendous stress due to low wholesale prices of bulk honey. Current prices are far below the cost of production. In order to rebuild and service this year's pollination contracts and reach honey production needs many beekeepers are extending their debt levels to dangerous levels. A repeat of this year's winter losses in 2008 would plunge producers into bankruptcy.

The OBA is asking for the following support from the Province.

1) Beekeepers who have lost a large percentage of bees in their operation need financial compensation to help them to rebuild their operations in a reasonable time frame and to keep their businesses solvent.

2) All beekeepers registered in Ontario need financial assistance in response to the shortfall between the cost of production and selling price of honey.

3) The OBA's Technical Transfer Program Team needs funds to conduct field investigations of dead and dying colonies, to sample colonies and investigate possible Varroa mite, tracheal mite, Nosema and viral factors. This will help to understand the problem and prevent reoccurrences.

4) Dr. Ernesto Guzman at the University of Guelph needs funds to conduct research on factors important to the successful over wintering of honey bees and to conduct research on the use of organic products to control mites and other pests in the beehive. This will help to avoid the problem in the future.

"I strongly urge you to support the request of the Ontario beekeepers so they can get back on their feet," the letter to Mr. Tory concluded." The industry is critical to the health of our food industry and to providing local foods throughout Ontario."

Truck stolen in Mono

During the overnight hours Monday-Tuesday, a red Ford F350 diesel 4-door crew cab pick-up truck with a red low-rider cap, dual rear wheels and a 70-cm high custom made silver bumper was stolen from a residence on Highway 10 near 30 Sideroad in Mono. The truck is valued at more than $60,000.

Dufferin OPP are asking anyone with information to contact the detachment at 519-925-3838 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).