A new partnership between CropLife Canada and the Canadian Honey Council aims to bring the industry together.
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CropLife Canada is launching its BeeConnected app prior to the 2016 planting season in order to connect farmers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators with on-farm activities._x000D_
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The new app will provide an anonymous connection between registered farmers, beekeepers and pesticide applicators — free of charge — to provide information on any pesticide application activity near or around beehive locations within their regions — all through the use of a web browser, iPhone or Android device._x000D_
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“We’ve heard from a number of groups that communication between all parties could be improved,” explains Pierre Petelle, vice-president of chemistry with CropLife Canada. “The BeeConnected app addresses this issue with an end goal of helping prevent bees from being unintentionally exposed to pesticides.”_x000D_
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CropLife Canada has partnered with the Canadian Honey Council to bring the app to Canada. According to Rod Scarlett, executive director of the Canadian Honey Council, the BeeConnected app offers another tool to help mitigate the risk between farmers, beekeepers and applicators. “This will only help to improve the communications between everyone involved. It’s another method to alleviate any concerns within the industry through the sharing of information,” says Scarlett._x000D_
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Getting Started _x000D_
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Users will simply download the app from iTunes or Google Play and create an account right on their smartphone._x000D_
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Farmers are then notified when a beekeeper logs a bee yard location within five kilometres of their property and beekeepers are notified when any crop protection activity is logged within five kilometres of their hives._x000D_
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All registered information is kept confidential and users are always anonymous._x000D_
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“Bees and pesticides are integral and complementary components of sustainable agriculture,” says Petelle. “The plant science industry is committed to ensuring both beekeeping and agriculture can co-exist and thrive, and this is just one tool to help make the connection between farmers and beekeepers.”_x000D_
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Scarlett notes that the Canadian Honey Council has been eagerly awaiting the introduction of BeeConnected to better help everyone involved in the industry. “The Council has supported this initiative from day one and looks forward to it being implemented this year in 2016.”
