Lynn Hale, I suppose, having been in the middle of the debate of Canada/US border closure in 1987 onward, first as Alberta's Provincial Apiculturist and later as BC's Provincial Apiculturist, I may be in a good position to respond to your question. Some historical background is warranted. During the 1970's, Canadian apicultural specialists started to express concern about the potential introduction of "exotic" mites into Canada. It was recognised that annual purchases of 100,000's packages and queens from a comparitively small geographical area in California, heightened the industry's vulnerability to the introduction and distribution of pests throughout Canada's most important beekeeping areas. Provincial apiculturists started to encourage beekeepers to overwinter their colonies. Research projects on wintering techniques and breeding programs to develop winter hardy bees were carried out; courses on queen rearing were offered; assistance programs (financial and technical) for wintering were made available in some provinces. Also, the threat of these exotic mites caused Canadian apiculturists, in consultations with Canadian Honey Council (Canada's national beekeeping organisation) and the federal government to review provisions under the Animal Disease and Protection Act. (Since then replaced by the Animal Health Act). After lengthy discussions, it was decided in the early 1980's, to name Varroa jacobsoni under the Act as a reportable pest, while the tracheal mite (HBTM) was left out. This decision was made by the industry because Varroa was still seen as some pest in the distant future, while HBTM had just been confirmed in the US. The industry felt it could not afford to jeopardize its access to US packages and queens at that time. Yet, provincial beekeepers associations and governments whose legislation included HBTM as reportable pests, demanded steps be undertaken to prevent HBTM introduction into Canada through a tracheal mite certification program. This program failed for many reasons. Without going into detail about the causes of failure, it must be pointed out that the program included the provision of closing the border to bee shipments in the event of HBTM infestations in California's bee breeding area. Canadian beekeepers relying on annual bee importations were fully aware of the potential of border closure. Before gassing the bees off in the fall, beekeepers would call and ask if the border would be closed next spring. I recall very clearly in (early) September 1987, telling producers that under conditions at that time, that there was no reason to believe that the border would be closed. Of course, the situation changed overnight when in late September (21?) of that same year Varroa was discovered in the US. (It was a big surprise to most, because had we not all expected to see the Africanized bees arrive first?). Since Varroa was under federal legislation, the Government in Ottawa was suddenly confronted of having to formulate a response strategy that would address beekeeping interests throughout Canada. All provincial beekeepers organisations except Alberta's were in support of border closure. All provincial governments were also in support of closure, while the Government of Alberta abstained. (Please note that the border issue caused terrible polarisation within the Alberta beekeeping fraternity at that time and each group submitted convincing arguments to the Provincial Government). Extensive consultations between industry groups and governments took place throughout the winter of 1987 and 1988. In 1987/88, no chemical control product was registered in Canada (and the US) to control Varroa. In addition to the stated positions of associations and provinces to close the border, the federal government had little choice but opted for a commonly used method in animal disease control, namely by physically isolating the Canadian bee population. Neither the federal government nor any other proponent to border closure ever argued that this strategy would keep Varroa out of Canada forever. Instead, it was hoped that with beekeeper compliance, Varroa could be kept out of Canada for a number of years during which time control products may become available. In response to the challenges faced by many beekeepers to convert their operations to wintering in 1988 onward, the Province of Alberta introduced financial assistance programs to its producers, up to C$10.- per colony. This was followed by a multi-year sugar subsidy program where beekeepers could purchase sugar for winter feed at subsidized prices. At the same free engineering asistance was offered for the design and construction of indoor wintering facilities. Colleges, universities and federal research facilities continued to offer information on improved wintering techniques. As of today, the vast majority of beekeepers and beekeeping operations in Canada have remained free of Varroa. Although the pest will continue to spread in the years to come, Varroa's principal distribution is still concentrated in border areas. After six years of border closure, the policy must be recognised as having been successful. Regardless, the implementation of the border closure policy carried a high cost, especially for those producers who were fully dependent on annual package and queen importations. In 1988 and 1989, scores of those 'package operators' went out of business. It has often been claimed that the border closure was the cause of their demise. I do not believe that this is entirely true. In many cases, producers were already in serious difficulty because of persistent low honey prices (remember those horrific years when honey went for C$0.37 - 0.39 a pound?) and hence, they did not have the resources needed to convert their operations. For many, border closure may have been the final 'nail in the coffin'. On the positive side, many beekeepers did convert their operations successfully and became highly self-sufficient while remaining free of Varroa. It should be remembered that the closure of the Canada/US border was enacted because of Varroa, not HBTM. The justification of keeping the policy in place is lessened every year with the further spread of Varroa in Canada's beekeeping areas. The current ban will remain in effect until December 31, 1995 and by that time, the Canadian beekeeping industry may democratically decide continuation of the policy is no longer warranted. Paul van Westendorp [log in to unmask] Provincial Apiculturist ph. (604) 576-5639 BC Ministry of Agriculture, fx. (604) 576-5652 Fisheries & Food