It is the turn of the Parti Québécois (PQ) to ask for help for beekeepers in Quebec who are struggling with an unprecedented mortality rate of their bees this year.
The PQ calls on the two orders of government to immediately grant the $12 million in emergency aid requested by the Union des producteurs agricole, which claims to need this sum to fight against parasites and other enemies of bees.
Quebec must also ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and glyphosate, according to the PQ, not only because of their impact on the reduction of bee colonies, but also because of their harmful effects on other aspects of our environment.
“These are really among the most dangerous herbicides currently,” said MNA for Gaspé and PQ spokesperson for agriculture and food, Méganne Perry Mélançon, in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“It also affects the quality of water and food, so we have to find ways to help agricultural producers, without harming the whole ecosystem. »
Each year, beekeepers observe on average the death of 20 to 35% of their colonies after the winter, but this rate can reach 60% this season – a level considered alarming by the group of beekeepers and beekeepers of Quebec.
Among the causes that explain this jump are climate change, the excessive use of pesticides and the arrival of a parasite particularly harmful to colonies, the varroa destructor.
The PQ considers that governments must act where they can now, that is to say by releasing the funds requested by beekeepers and by banning harmful pesticides.
However, it is not all simple. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency — a division of Health Canada — promised in 2018 to ban the outdoor use of neonicotinoids, but ultimately ruled last year that a “comprehensive” ban would not is not justified”.
Neonicotinoids act on the central nervous system of insects, which makes them particularly harmful to bee populations, in particular.
As for glyphosate, an extremely popular herbicide, despite a reduction target put in place by Quebec, its use has increased in recent years, says the PQ.
“Despite the effort that is made, we do not have good results, so the use of glyphosate should be banned outright,” says Ms. Perry Mélançon.
A PQ government would ban neonicotinoid pesticides and glyphosate in the first 100 days of its mandate.
But to respond to the current crisis, Quebec must also support projects aimed at adding new hives in the province as quickly as possible, according to the PQ MP.
“There are people who can do it, both in town and in the region, believes Ms. Perry Mélançon. It is possible to have initiatives to put new hives into operation. So we also ask to increase the production of bees to be able to save the season. »