Saskatchewan Regulations 39/2025, made under The Agri-Food Act, 2004, amends The Beekeepers Development Plan Regulations, 2017 to refine and expand the governance framework for the beekeeping industry in the province. The amendment introduces updated definitions and operational rules for the Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission, aligning regulatory language with evolving practices in apiculture and modernizing administrative processes.

Key definitional changes clarify core concepts such as “beekeeper,” “bee products,” “colony,” and “commission,” expanding the scope of who qualifies as a beekeeper. The new definition of “beekeeper” includes those directly involved in bee or bee product production and marketing, individuals entitled to a share of proceeds or products via lease agreements, and those who acquire such products through debt-related proceedings. Bee products now cover a broad range, including hives, queens, and pollination services, reflecting the industry’s full economic value chain. A new definition of “registered beekeeper” requires formal registration with the commission, payment of applicable fees, and levy compliance.

The number and appointment of directors on the commission’s board are also addressed. By default, the board is to consist of six elected directors unless otherwise determined by the commission. If there are fewer than the designated number of directors elected, the commission gains the authority to appoint additional registered beekeepers to fill the vacancies. The commission is also newly empowered to set the number of directors, their terms of office, and to develop and deliver traceability, animal welfare, and food safety programs—expanding its role beyond oversight into strategic program development.

Transparency improvements are mandated through the amended requirements for the public reporting of directors’ names and municipalities. Annual general meetings must now meet a quorum of 15 registered beekeepers unless adjusted by commission order. At these meetings, the commission must present an annual report, current financial plan, and a description of the upcoming year’s activities and programs. Voting rights at these meetings are clarified, affirming that registered beekeepers may vote on resolutions concerning the purpose of the development plan.

A major addition is a new eligibility framework for who can represent a registered beekeeper in commission affairs. If the beekeeper is an organization, its representative must be a person actively involved in its operations and related to its management or ownership, or a close family member. If the beekeeper is an individual, they may appoint a family member or employee to vote or hold office on their behalf. All appointments must be in writing and submitted to the commission, and once a representative is appointed, only they may act on behalf of the beekeeper until the appointment is formally withdrawn. Proxy voting is generally prohibited to protect voting integrity, and each registered beekeeper remains entitled to one vote.

Saskatchewan (39/2025) June 6, 2025
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