Ottawa-Canadian beekeepers are facing extremely difficult times due to the 50 per cent tariff imposed by the U.S., says Rod Scarlett, Executive Director of the Canadian Honey Council (CHC).

The tariff on Canadian honey has forced the industry to look at ways to bring stability to the sector. Its board believes a solution lies within Canada’s borders.

“Our industry firmly believes that the honey/beekeeping sector, which is integral in the food security fabric of Canada, should not be targeted.”

“Beekeepers across Canada are grateful for the strong public support and encourage the public to carefully look at labels to ensure you are buying Canadian honey,” Scarlett said.

There are a great many solutions to the tariff issue to be found by choosing and promoting Canadian honey.

While Canada usually exports about 9 million kilograms of honey annually - with up to 75 per cent of that going to the U.S., it imports about 10 million kgs of honey annually from Brazil, India, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries.

Several of these countries lack the regulatory requirements and standards that Canadian beekeepers follow leaving room for the distribution of fraudulent and/or adulterated honey into the Canadian market.

In addition to honey being packed in jars and bottles on store shelves, honey is used as a key ingredient in a wide variety of products, including cereals, crackers, condiments, dairy and meat.

“Canadian honey producers strive for a culture of integrity. We take pride in the authenticity of our products.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has found cases of fraudulent honey from foreign and imported products, not Canadian beekeepers. “That’s an important validation of our industry’s culture of integrity.”

The CHC wants large commercial users of industrial honey to proudly proclaim that they use Canadian honey in their products. Those companies include General Mills, Post Consumer Brands Canada, Kraft Heinz Canada, Bimbo Canada, Kellogg’s and Clif Bar Canada.

“The public can help Canadian beekeepers by choosing Canadian packaged honey and asking all companies to identify where they get their honey from and proudly proclaim Canadian honey usage,” Scarlett said.

Many smaller honey producers may not receive sufficient or timely support through existing BRM programs while large, specialized operations can experience losses far beyond the level at which AgriStability becomes meaningful.

Producers need immediate cash-flow support to have the liquidity needed to manage the disruption and maintain production, employment and customer relationships while absorbing or responding to the tariff.

This news report prepared for National Newswatch