National Bee Diagnostic Centre (NBDC)
Impacts Northern Alberta
RADF Investment: $925,360
Other Investment: $1,391,750
Total Investment: $2,317,110
Project Period: May 2011 - December 2013
Economic Development
Project Description
This project will establish Canada’s first ever National Bee Diagnostic Services Centre located at the AAFC (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) Beaverlodge Research Farm, which is the site of the only federal bee research program in the country. The NBDSC will address the current crisis in bee health, as well as offer comprehensive honeybee diagnostic services and surveillance data to industry and government/regulatory bodies. Services will include research on honeybee pests, pathogens and parasites using advanced scientific techniques. This project will provide a major benefit to the Canadian honeybee industry and will contribute directly to alleviate the significant negative economic impact to the region’s and Canada’s beekeeping industry.
Expected Outcomes and Benefits
All projects go through a selection process to ensure they will improve the quality of life for Albertans. This project meets this objective through the following outcomes and benefits:
- Increased knowledge regarding distribution and bee’s pests, pathogens and parasites
- Enhanced standard of honeybee health to benefit pollination of key agricultural commodities such as oilseeds, forages and fruit and berry crops
- Provide scientific support for the import and export of bees to serve the interest of Canadian producers
- Prevention/reduction of future winter losses, including reduced queen losses which result in increased production of honey
- Position Canada as the leader in detection and treatment of honeybee diseases