Special Beekeepers Fund in Ontario Program

Program Guidebook
Special Beekeepers Fund in Ontario Program
June 2007

Introduction

The Ontario government recognizes that the beekeeping industry contributes extensively to the health and vitality of the province's agricultural sector. The government is committed to assisting Ontario registered honey beekeepers with the financial pressures they are facing as a direct result of the extraordinary winter conditions.

The government has allocated funding of
$2.4 million to assist affected honey beekeepers.
An additional $600,000 has also been allocated for the research and technology transfer related to the honey bee industry.

Who is eligible for SBF funding?

• Be registered with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), as required under the Bees Act (R.S.O. 1990 Chapter B.6);
• Have experienced bee colony losses greater than fifteen per cent (15%) as a direct result of the extraordinary winter conditions from November 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007, inclusive; and
• Submit an application by the deadline of 5:00 pm EST on August 8, 2007.

Is the SBF a competitive process?

| Top of Page |

How will SBF funding be allocated?

The industry standard loss of 15 per cent over a typical winter will be incorporated into the funding calculation. Each applicant will receive a funding amount determined by the number of lost colonies identified in their submitted applications net of the 15 per cent assumed provincial average industry standard loss.

Funding per colony of bees lost will be determined by program uptake after the application deadline. Hence, the specific amount of funding that each beekeeper will receive cannot be determined until then.

Although the level of provincial funding to each beekeeper cannot be determined until after the program application deadline closes and the level of uptake is assessed, eligible beekeepers will receive no greater than $225 per colony of lost bees.

How do I apply for SBF funding?

The application package can be obtained through several channels:

• OMAFRA is sending out a package to all beekeepers in Ontario who are currently registered with the Ministry. Included in the package are the guidebook, a Frequently Asked Questions (FQA) as well as an application form to be completed and submitted by the application deadline.
• Eligible beekeepers who do not receive a package from the Ministry can contact OMAFRA's Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 for an application package to be sent to them.
• The application can also be downloaded from the OMAFRA's website at the following web address: www.omafra.gov.on.ca
  

Completed applications should be post-marked on or before the application deadline of 5:00 pm EST on August 8, 2007 and submitted to the following address:

Special Beekeepers Fund
Rural Community Development Branch
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
4th Floor, 1 Stone Road West
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 4Y2

| Top of Page |

Should I reduce my claimed losses by the provincial average industry standard loss?

When completing the SBF program application form, applicants should provide the total number of colonies of bees lost in the period from November 1, 2006 to April 30, 2007 as a direct result of the extraordinary winter conditions.

As part of OMAFRA's application review and approval process, the Ministry will deduct the 15 per cent from the number of colonies of bees claimed. The net loss will then be used for the calculation of the funding amount.

When will I receive the SBF payments?

The one-time payments will be sent out to eligible Ontario beekeepers approximately five (5) weeks after the application deadline closes.

Will my SBF payment count towards any Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) funding I may receive?

Eligible beekeepers receiving SBF funding will receive either an AGR-1 or income statement, depending on if the payments are made to a corporation or individuals, from the Ministry for income tax purposes.

Confidentiality

| Top of Page |