To combat antibiotic resistance, Health Canada is introducing strict new regulations that require increased veterinary oversight for all livestock, including honey bees. Historically, honey bees relied on these medications to control American Foulbrood, a devastating disease that once crippled the industry before the advent of modern treatments. Moving forward, beekeepers will no longer be able to buy antibiotics from farm supply stores and must instead establish a formal relationship with a veterinarian to obtain prescriptions. The Ontario Beekeepers’ Association is currently working with government officials to ensure these rules remain practical for producers while maintaining high biosecurity standards. Because the beekeeping industry does not use drugs for growth promotion, the focus is on developing educational resources for veterinarians who may be unfamiliar with apiary health. These changes, set for late 2018, aim to balance public health safety with the necessary medical needs of honey bee colonies. #honeybees #valleybeekeeping
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