I've got to the point of hoping this issue would dissappear.
 
There is a complicated background which affects it, but the decision should
never the less be rational.
 
I've been told that a crucial difference this year, is that the bees from
Australia and New Zealand used to stay onboard the aircraft in Hawaii during the
stop over. Now apparently, they have to be unloaded and stored on the ground
before being loaded on other aircraft to Canada (this used to happen sometimes,
but not usually?). The extra risk of escapees, and the story of a large number
of escaped bees last year, has been used as a reason for disallowing the
shipments. Anyone with first hand info?
 
I've heard from a Canadian importer who had trouble getting packages from New
Zealand, but has now worked out the route through Asia.
 
 
 
There's much more to it, but I've got to get going.
 
 
Kerry Clark, Apiculture Specialist
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
1201 103 Ave
Dawson Creek B.C.
        V1G 4J2  CANADA          Tel (604) 784-2225     fax (604) 784-2299
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