These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Live Honeybee Imports
Mrs.
Rose-Marie Ur (Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency is currently reviewing comments it
received on a proposed rule that could allow live honeybee imports into
Canada from the United States.
Could the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food assure the House and all
bee producers in Canada that foreign bee diseases and pests, along with
Africanized bees, commonly known as killer bees, will not be permitted to
enter Canada under this proposed rule?
Hon. Bob Speller (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr.
Speaker, in fact I can give the hon. member the assurance that it will not
be happening.
Based on a risk assessment, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has
indicated that it is willing to have queen bees imported from the United
States. The hon. member should know that there are differences of opinion
between provinces on this issue. The hon. member may be aware that the
provinces, if they wish, may be able to ban these bees coming into the
country.
There was a review process put out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
That date ended two days ago and it will be making a decision shortly.
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