A team of scientists in Canada are working to breed a new set of honeybees with resistance to disease and harsh winters.

The scientists received a grant of $7.3 million grant to fund their research to breed resistant honeybees. Reports showed that honeybee population in Canada are declining in recent times due to a host of reasons. Most bees are imported from warmer climates and they find it difficult to survive in Canada’s cold winter. It is believed that out of four honeybees due to cold and this has convinced beekeepers to import more bees from the United States. However, importing bees have brought the risk of bringing in diseased bees.

AmroZayed from York University said, “It is very clear that we have to develop innovative solutions for bee health because bee declines will have serious consequences for Canada’s economy and food security.”

The tam will determine protein and genome makers to breed 12 traits that are beneficial to the economy. This will allow beekeepers to develop healthy bees that are resistant to disease and harsh Canadian winters in a cost effective manner.