The long, cold winter has had an effect on bees.

And beekeepers across Canada are expressing concern – about the effects of poor weather on their colonies.

Ontario has the largest number of beekeepers in Canada – and in this province the situation is being described as serious.

A survey of almost 900 Ontario beekeepers indicated that 70 per cent of them have suffered unsustainable losses.

It’s also bad news for vegetable and fruit growers – who depend on bees for pollination.

Beekeepers in Alberta and Quebec have also experienced noticeable losses because of weather conditions.