The Ontario government is bringing together a group of experts to provide advice on how to prevent bee mortalities.

The Bee Health Working Group will include beekeepers, farmers, agri-business representatives, scientists, and staff from both federal and provincial government agencies.

The working group will provide recommendations on how to mitigate the potential risk to honey bees from exposure to neonicotinoid - a pesticide used for corn and soybeans.

The first meeting is planned for this month and recommendations are expected by spring 2014.

Provincial officials say 3,000 registered beekeepers manage approximately 100,000 honey bee colonies in Ontario. Honey production contributes $25 million to the province’s economy.