Ontario introduces new production insurance plan for beekeepers

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Ontario beekeepers now have access to a new production insurance plan that will help them manage financial loss from winter bee colony damage.

Production insurance is part of a suite of business risk management programs designed to help farmers manage losses due to events like weather, pests and disease. The costs of these programs are predictable, stable and shared by producers and the provincial and federal governments.

The new Bee Mortality Production Insurance Plan gives participating beekeepers the confidence and security to reinvest in their operations, encouraging greater innovation, profitability and job creation and provides them with the same financial support that beekeepers in other provinces receive.

To participate, beekeepers must be registered, operate in accordance with the Bees Act, and implement best practices to ensure bee health. The Bee Mortality Production Insurance Plan will begin November 1, 2015 and will be administered byAgricorp.

Helping Ontario’s agri-food producers better manage risk is part of the government's plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.

QUOTES

“To mitigate unforeseen risks experienced by Ontario beekeepers, our government responded to their request to add a risk management plan. The new Bee Mortality Production Insurance plan under the Agriculture Insurance Act promotes best management practices and allows farmers to manage their risk more effectively. Promoting pollinator health benefits all Ontarians while strengthening the agri-food sector and our economy.”

— Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"The new Bee Mortality Production Insurance plan recognizes the importance of healthy bees to the livelihood of individual beekeepers and the sustainability of the beekeeping industry. OBA salutes the Ontario government for their ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of our industry."

— Tibor Szabo, President, Ontario Beekeepers’ Association

 QUICK FACTS

 §  Production insurance is currently available for almost 90 commercially grown crops in Ontario, including grains, oilseeds and certain fruits and vegetables.

§  The new Bee Mortality Production Insurance Plan is the first production insurance plan developed for a commodity other than crops and perennial plants.

§  The Bee Mortality Production Insurance Plan is also part of the government’s broader pollinator health strategy. This balanced, practical and comprehensive strategy will help to strengthen pollinator health, agriculture and the province’s economy.

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Production insurance in Ontario