New Brunswick beekeepers who suffered “serious winter losses” to their bee colonies in 2006-07 will be eligible for a share of $150,000 in federal aid, the government announced Tuesday.
The New Brunswick Honey Bee Revitalization Initiative is intended to help beekeepers rebuild colonies that suffered at least 25 per cent over-wintering loss, and to encourage the splitting of strong existing colonies, the federal government said in a release.
The funds will flow through AgriRecovery, one in the new suite of federal/provincial business risk management programs. Cost-shared 60/40, the AgriRecovery funding announced Tuesday builds on a $100,000 pledge from the New Brunswick government last year.
Read Also
U.S. livestock: Cattle futures come down from highs
Cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange were weaker on Monday, coming down from recent highs.
With federal funding added to the provincial pledge, financial aid will be provided to honey bee producers for up to 75 per cent of the purchase cost to a maximum $170 per colony for colonies purchased before Sept. 15, 2007, or to a maximum $120 per colony for colonies purchased before Aug. 1, 2007.
Producers will also get up to $85.90 for every additional colony gained through splitting of healthy hives by Sept. 15, 2007.
New Brunswick honey bee producers must be participants in AgriStability for 2007 and must have qualified to receive assistance under the provincial New Brunswick Honey Bee Revitalization Initiative, to be eligible for the federal funding. They also must demonstrate in writing their plans for revitalizing their honey bee colonies, be registered as a beekeeper in 2007 as per the New Brunswick Apiary Inspection Act and have registered 40 or more colonies in 2006.
