Biosecurity case studies: Bees and Beyond

Jeanette Gaultier Rheal Lafreniere

Pesticides Specialist Provincial Apiarist

2014 Manitoba Agronomists Conference

Crops & Biosecurity

• Picture of bee

Bees & Biosecurity

0

10

20

30

40

50

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Canada Manitoba Long term average

15

Bees & Biosecurity

• rVarroa mite • Tracheal mite

1987

1987

Lessons:

1. Bees/pests can’t read

2. Bees/pests don’t recognize borders

Mites in Manitoba

Lessons:

3. Bees and pests love to travel

• rVarroa mite • American

foulbrood • Small hive

beetle • Africanized

honeybee

Bees & Biosecurity

• MBA seeking permit to import packaged bees from the continental US

• Recent over-wintering mortality rates are unsustainable

• Assessment of risks at the National level may differ when applied to Manitoba

Bees & Biosecurity

Assessing & Managing the Risks

• Cost/benefit risk assessment

What is a risk?

• Management of risk

Regulatory?

Crops & Biosecurity

1. Crops and pests can’t read

2. Crops and pests cross borders

3. Crops and pests love to travel

Manage risks

Crops & Biosecurity

MAFRD:

• Anastasia Kubinec

• Holly Derksen

• Vikram Bisht

• Rheal Lafreniere