Regulation - LGIC
Amendments to Regulation 57 - General under the Bees Act
Regulation Number(s):
Regulation 57 - General
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Bees Act
Summary of Decision:
The proposal has been approved. The amendments to Regulation 57 under the Bees Act will take effect July 1, 2013. The amendments will apply to all Ontario beekeepers.
Two diseases that were proposed in the posting will not be added to the regulation: Paenibacillus larvae and Mellisococcus pluton. The previous scientific names of these diseases (Bacillus larvae and Bacillus pluton/alvei respectively) and the common names of these diseases, American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood respectively, are currently listed in the Bees Act, and the proposal was intended to update the scientific name to reflect the names currently used for these two diseases. However, these changes would require amendments to the Bees Act itself, which was not considered in the present proposal.
Three additional diseases and two additional pests have been added to the proposal. The diseases are: Nosema sp resistant to antibiotics; Tropilaelaps sp resistant to miticides; and, Euvarroa sp resistant to miticides. The strains of these diseases that are resistant need to be added because they represent a unique threat to bee health because there are no treatment options available for them. The additional pests are Vespa vellutina and Large Hive Beetle. Vespa vellutina is capable of killing entire colonies of honey bees, and can seriously affect humans and animals with its venom. Large Hive Beetle may enter a nest and feed on the honey bee brood and food stores. These diseases and pests have been proposed as a result of stakeholder feedback during the posting and additional consultation with industry and academic experts.
Two diseases that were proposed in the posting will not be added to the regulation: Paenibacillus larvae and Mellisococcus pluton. The previous scientific names of these diseases (Bacillus larvae and Bacillus pluton/alvei respectively) and the common names of these diseases, American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood respectively, are currently listed in the Bees Act, and the proposal was intended to update the scientific name to reflect the names currently used for these two diseases. However, these changes would require amendments to the Bees Act itself, which was not considered in the present proposal.
Three additional diseases and two additional pests have been added to the proposal. The diseases are: Nosema sp resistant to antibiotics; Tropilaelaps sp resistant to miticides; and, Euvarroa sp resistant to miticides. The strains of these diseases that are resistant need to be added because they represent a unique threat to bee health because there are no treatment options available for them. The additional pests are Vespa vellutina and Large Hive Beetle. Vespa vellutina is capable of killing entire colonies of honey bees, and can seriously affect humans and animals with its venom. Large Hive Beetle may enter a nest and feed on the honey bee brood and food stores. These diseases and pests have been proposed as a result of stakeholder feedback during the posting and additional consultation with industry and academic experts.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
12-AFRA015
Posting Date:
December 13, 2012
Summary of Proposal:
OMAFRA is asking for feedback on its proposal to amend Regulation 57 - General under the Bees Act to designate additional diseases and pests. Inspectors have authority to inspect and take action to control diseases and pests listed in the Act and Regulation 57.
It is proposed that the following diseases should be added to Regulation 57:
- Nosema sp
- Varroa sp (varroa mite)
- Varroa sp resistant to miticides
- Paenibacillus larvae
- Paenibacillus larvae resistant to antibiotics
- Mellisoccus pluton
- Mellisoccus pluton resistant to antibiotics
- Tropilaelaps sp (Tropilaelaps mite)
- Eurvarroa sp (Eurvarroa mite)
It is proposed that the following pests should be added to Regulation 57:
- Apis mellifera capensis (Cape honey bee)
- Apis mellifera scutellata species hybrid (African honey bee hybrid)
- Apis cerana species complex (Asian honey bee)
- Apis florea species complex (Dwarf honey bee)
- Apis dorsata species complex (Giant honey bee)
- Vespa mandarinia (Giant Asian Hornet)
This proposal is intended to enhance Ontario's ability to detect and respond to additional diseases and pests that could impact Ontario's apiary sector and pollination services. Early detection and response is beneficial to the entire industry by promoting bee health and reducing economic impact of diseases and pests.
Inspectors will be able to inspect for more diseases and pests. Their response powers, including treatment, disinfection or destruction, would extend to these additional diseases and pests.
The proposal will harmonize Ontario's regulatory requirements with certain other jurisdictions. The harmonization is intended to improve access to other markets by providing beekeepers with inspection reports that demonstrate their colonies have been inspected for these additional diseases and pests designated in regulation.
Lastly, the proposal is intended to reflect scientific information that has been developed since the diseases and pests were designated.
It is proposed that the following diseases should be added to Regulation 57:
- Nosema sp
- Varroa sp (varroa mite)
- Varroa sp resistant to miticides
- Paenibacillus larvae
- Paenibacillus larvae resistant to antibiotics
- Mellisoccus pluton
- Mellisoccus pluton resistant to antibiotics
- Tropilaelaps sp (Tropilaelaps mite)
- Eurvarroa sp (Eurvarroa mite)
It is proposed that the following pests should be added to Regulation 57:
- Apis mellifera capensis (Cape honey bee)
- Apis mellifera scutellata species hybrid (African honey bee hybrid)
- Apis cerana species complex (Asian honey bee)
- Apis florea species complex (Dwarf honey bee)
- Apis dorsata species complex (Giant honey bee)
- Vespa mandarinia (Giant Asian Hornet)
This proposal is intended to enhance Ontario's ability to detect and respond to additional diseases and pests that could impact Ontario's apiary sector and pollination services. Early detection and response is beneficial to the entire industry by promoting bee health and reducing economic impact of diseases and pests.
Inspectors will be able to inspect for more diseases and pests. Their response powers, including treatment, disinfection or destruction, would extend to these additional diseases and pests.
The proposal will harmonize Ontario's regulatory requirements with certain other jurisdictions. The harmonization is intended to improve access to other markets by providing beekeepers with inspection reports that demonstrate their colonies have been inspected for these additional diseases and pests designated in regulation.
Lastly, the proposal is intended to reflect scientific information that has been developed since the diseases and pests were designated.
Contact Address:
Julie Jamieson
Policy Advisor
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Policy Division
1 Stone Road West
Floor 2 SW
Guelph Ontario
N1G 4Y2
Phone: (519) 826-3753
Fax: (519) 826-3492
Policy Advisor
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Policy Division
1 Stone Road West
Floor 2 SW
Guelph Ontario
N1G 4Y2
Phone: (519) 826-3753
Fax: (519) 826-3492
Effective Date:
July 1, 2013
Decision:
Approved