Question Period Note: IMPORT OF HONEY BEES

Q1 – What were the findings of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s risk assessment on honeybee packages imported from the United States?

R.1
In 2023, a new import risk analysis for honey bee packages from the United States was initiated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to determine whether the importation of honey bee packages from the United States could be allowed.

The hazard identification and risk assessment, (completed in Fall 2024), identified that the risks exceeded Canada’s acceptable level of risk.

Canadian stakeholders and the United States Department of Agriculture / Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service were invited to submit to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency any science-based risk mitigation proposals.

After careful evaluation of all risk mitigation proposals received, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency concluded that no feasible, scientifically supported mitigation measures are currently available to bring all identified risks within acceptable levels.

As a result, Canada maintained its current import restrictions and will not permit the importation of honey bee packages from the United States at this time.

The importation of all honey bees (Apis mellifera subspecies) from the U.S. into Canada have been restricted since 1987 as a result of the presence of pests and diseases of concern in the U.S.

Based on import risk analyses completed for the importation of honeybee packages from the United States in 2003 and 2014, the importation of individual hand-picked honeybee queens from the United States has been permitted since 2004. Honeybee packages however, still present a higher risk than honeybee queens and therefore they continue to be restricted from importation into Canada.

In 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) began a new import risk analysis to assess whether importing approximately 50,000 (between 24,000 and 75,000) honeybee packages per year from the United States could be allowed into Canada. The hazard identification and risk assessment steps completed in Fall 2024 found that the risk was too high for bee packages imported from the United States.

To explore possible solutions, the CFIA invited Canadian stakeholders and United States officials to submit science-based proposals to reduce the risks. The public consultation ran from November 7, 2024, to January 31, 2025.

After reviewing all proposals, the CFIA concluded that no feasible and scientifically supported mitigation measures currently exist to bring all identified risks within acceptable levels. As a result, Canada will continue to restrict the import of honeybee packages from the United States.

A Notice to Industry with CFIA’s decision was published on the CFIA’s website on August 6, 2025, which included a 'What We Heard' report, a ‘Summary of the proposals’ received, and the ‘CFIA's decision on risk management’. These documents provide insight into the Agency's decision.

While some stakeholders, especially in Western Canada, support lifting the ban, most—including provincial associations—support keeping the restriction in place to mitigate risks to the health of the honey bee population.

Canada continues to assess new international sources for bee imports. Based on scientific evidence and science-based risk assessments, Canada currently allows honey bee queens from the United States, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, and Malta.

Honey bee packages are only allowed from Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy.

The importation of all honey bees (Apis mellifera subspecies) from the U.S. into Canada have been restricted since 1987 as a result of the presence of pests and diseases of concern in the U.S.

Based on import risk analyses completed for the importation of honeybee packages from the United States in 2003 and 2014, the importation of individual hand-picked honeybee queens from the United States has been permitted since 2004. Honeybee packages however, still present a higher risk than honeybee queens and therefore they continue to be restricted from importation into Canada.

In 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) began a new import risk analysis to assess whether importing approximately 50,000 (between 24,000 and 75,000) honeybee packages per year from the United States could be allowed into Canada. The hazard identification and risk assessment steps completed in Fall 2024 found that the risk was too high for bee packages imported from the United States.

To explore possible solutions, the CFIA invited Canadian stakeholders and United States officials to submit science-based proposals to reduce the risks. The public consultation ran from November 7, 2024, to January 31, 2025.

After reviewing all proposals, the CFIA concluded that no feasible and scientifically supported mitigation measures currently exist to bring all identified risks within acceptable levels. As a result, Canada will continue to restrict the import of honeybee packages from the United States.

A Notice to Industry with CFIA’s decision was published on the CFIA’s website on August 6, 2025, which included a 'What We Heard' report, a ‘Summary of the proposals’ received, and the ‘CFIA's decision on risk management’. These documents provide insight into the Agency's decision.

While some stakeholders, especially in Western Canada, support lifting the ban, most—including provincial associations—support keeping the restriction in place to mitigate risks to the health of the honey bee population.

Canada continues to assess new international sources for bee imports. Based on scientific evidence and science-based risk assessments, Canada currently allows honey bee queens from the United States, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Italy, and Malta.

Honey bee packages are only allowed from Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy.