Difficult season for the bees

Shanny Hallé, QMI Agency

Wednesday, 12 July 2017 19:09

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Wednesday, 12 July 2017 19:09

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STOKE – producers of honey do not have it easy this year. The wet spring and the winter mortality higher than normal bees have delayed the production of the precious sweet liquid.

Last winter, the bee mortality was higher than normal and the especially rainy spring has not helped the situation, so that the flocks of bees have suffered.

“This is not obvious. Parasites, diseases, pesticides, the temperature is not on our side, I’m going to see say that it’s a lot of factors that weaken […] the bees, and it has even caused the death of several hives,” explained Wednesday, Carole Huppé, owner of the Honey Moon of honey in Stoke, a suburb of Sherbrooke, in the Estrie region.

To the Honey Moon of Honey, which has 400 hives, it is estimated to have lost 20 % of them this summer.

“It’s a lot to catch up. It is hoped that the bees will be able to, but it’s going to be difficult,” added Ms. Huppé.

Consequence: the production of honey is delayed. In the eastern Townships, it is estimated that the yield will be lower than the quebec average.

“We see a reduction of the production… For the first honey flow, I would say that it was easily between 30 % and 50 % of losses,” said Alain Perras, regional director of la Financière Agricole.

La Financière Agricole pays the beekeepers, according to different criteria. The losses must amount to at least 15 %.

“It was [open a few notice of damages], but for the moment, there has been no compensation,” said Mr. Perras.

“Depending on the harvest, this is what we will do, yes,” said Ms. Swank.

Difficult to predict what will be the financial aid.

“We still hope for a good autumn,” said Carole Huppé.