Issues & Advocacy
Increasingly, the issues facing beekeeping are complex and far reaching. The OBA’s advocacy and leadership role is critical to advancing the mission and vision of the organization.
This section will provide information on OBA advocacy activities, positions, resolutions and partnerships to give members an insight into the strategies employed to protect and further the interests of beekeepers and the beekeeping industry as a whole.
Report a Suspected Poisoning Event
It is important for beekeepers in Ontario to understand the signs of poisoning and the process for reporting in the event of a possible exposure and/or subsequent bee kill.
Symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning of honey bees may be much easier to recognize than chronic symptoms. Provincial Apiarist, Paul Kozak provides the following list of symptoms for most types of insecticides, although he cautions that some particular classes of insecticides may have distinct symptoms.
Pesticide damage may take place at an individual or colony level. The impact of pesticide poisoning to a colony may be short-lived or longer lasting. Longer lasting may result from multiple pesticide applications to the same or different fields or when contaminated pollen is brought back to the colony and contaminates food stores.
ByLaw Devlopment
From time-to-time municipalities may revise existing bylaws or develop new bylaws to complement the Ontario Bees Act. This position statement outlines some considerations that municipal planners may consider when developing or revising bylaws related to honey bees and beekeeping with a particular focus on considerations related to the distance between beehives and a property line.
Board & Membership Resolutions
OBA resolutions can come from board decisions or from members at the Annual General Meeting. This section provides guidelines for submission of a resolution for consideration as well as a list of resolutions approved by the membership.
Strategic Partnerships
The OBA works in partnership with other organizations and initiatives to leverage our impact and support issues of common concern.
