Resolution:

Necessity to develop immediate risk mitigation protocols for US package importation

CARRIED | November 2024

STATUS: DEFEATED

RATIONALE / PURPOSE FOR RESOLUTION:

• Whereas ABC has passed 13 resolutions to support the importation of package bees from the US without satisfactory responses (and in many cases no response) from the Canadian Honey Council, and
• Whereas Australia, Italy and Malta all present a risk of Tropilaelaps introduction to Canada, and
• Whereas the timeline for getting risk mitigation in place for a spring 2025 package supply is extremely tight, and
• Whereas the Canadian Honey Council has yet to meet and work on strategies for risk mitigation despite the importance to Alberta and many other Canadian beekeepers and the tight timeline, and
• Whereas the Canadian Honey Council has proposed to increase the director levy by $1000 per director for 5 years, and
• Whereas the Canadian Honey Council is holding approximately $750,000 that is not being directed to beekeeper causes.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The Alberta Beekeepers Commission withhold their CHC levy of approximately $60,000 and engage professionals to draft and assist in the implementation of risk mitigation proposals on the import of US packages with that money.

RESOLUTION BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Risk Management Framework

Name of producer submitting resolution: Peter Awram

Name of person seconding resolution: Ryan Hicks