Should Canada Allow Honey Bee Imports from the United States?

Official title: Share your thoughts: Risk mitigation options for the importation of honey bee packages from the United States

Closed Regulations & Permits Agriculture & Food Environment & Climate
Canada has banned U.S. honey bee imports since 1987 to protect Canadian hives from diseases and pests. The government asked whether new safety measures could make imports safe enough to allow. A risk analysis found that Africanized bees, American foulbrood, small hive beetles, and varroa mites would almost certainly spread to Canadian hives if imports resumed.

Why This Matters

Beekeepers struggle to replace lost hives each spring. U.S. imports could make bees cheaper and more available. But if diseases spread, it could devastate Canadian honey production and the crops that depend on bee pollination.

What Could Change

The CFIA has released its decision on risk management for U.S. bee imports. New import rules could allow up to 75,000 bee packages per year from the U.S., but only with strict disease testing and certification requirements.

Key Issues

  • Can disease risks from U.S. bee imports be reduced to acceptable levels?
  • What measures would protect Canadian hives from Africanized bees, American foulbrood, small hive beetles, and varroa mites?
  • Should Canada allow approximately 50,000 bee packages per year from the continental U.S.?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Risk management framework on the importation of honey bee packages from the United States to understand the proposed measures.
  2. Read the Notice to Industry announcing the CFIA's final decision.

What Happened

The consultation ran from November 7, 2024 to January 31, 2025. The deadline was extended in response to stakeholder requests. The CFIA has since released its decision on risk management for U.S. honey bee imports.

View Final Decision

Key Documents