Hi
 
This is a complaint that likely is only of interest to
bee keepers in Canada.
 
It has recently come to my attention through an article,
written by the president of the CHC, in the "Canadian
Beekeeping" magazine that the CHC is attempting to force
a levy on all beekeepers and honey importers to be collected
by the government. The proceeds as I undersand it is to be
allocated to research and promotion mostly the latter.
 
The problem as I see it is not with the aim, but with the
levy structure which is proposed as follows: $25 per 100
colonies with a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $250.
For imported honey the levy would be 1 cent/lbs.
 
If I look at my own situation which is that I have a grand
total of 4 colonies, which is the max number I have had since
I started with 4 nucs 11 years ago and so far I have no
intention of enlarging my hobby operation.
 
In 1996 like many others I had heavy winter losses  50%, so
I split one of them in three to get up to my usual 4, for which
reason the harvest amounted to a grand total of 140 lbs. My
cost reached a total of $203.09 or $1.45/lbs. The cost is high for
the small guy since it is impossible to purchace terramycin in an
amount that suits 4 hives, Queens are also expensive not to mention
Apistan strips and sugar.
 
Now if I have to pay an additional $25 to CHC then my cost would be
$1.63/lbs. If I want to sell any at the gate I can only get $1.30/lbs
since that is what a major apiary in theese parts advertise in the
local weekly doormats. In the end what we do not consume is given away
to family, friends and neighbours.
 
If I had imported 140 lbs of honey my levy would be $1.40
 
I am of the opinion (based on statistics in the Canaddian B. magz.
as interpreted by me and on information of my equipment supplier)
that the wast majority of beekeepers have less than 20 colonies
and are not making much money.
 
In other words I see the proposed levy to be grossly in favor of
of the commercial beekeeper who will also be the main beneficiary.
 
The only ways I could go along with a levy would be with a per
pound sold/harvested or a fixed per colony amount.
 
Any opinions out there?
 
Viktor Sten in Hawkesbury, Ontario.