Working for the Benefit of Bees and Apiculture ISBN 978-88-941041-6-5

Apimondia Working for the benefit of bees and apiculture ISBN 978-88-941041-6-5

WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 3

PRESENTATION

The genesis of this publication is somewhat peculiar as the idea of producing something for the benefit of bees and beekeeping had been simmering in Apimondia for quite some time without seeing the light at the end of the tunnel or a possible announced date of birth. Then a flash! What best opportunity to address these issues in conjunction with the first celebration of the World Bee Day! At that point and on the wings of the consensus of all the members of the Executive Council of Apimondia everything went very swiftly. This publication is a first and therefore still suffering from some inevitable teething problems, not last the fast timespan in which it saw its birth as it was concocted and assembled in a very short time to meet the deadline of 20 May, World Bee Day. The next editions will certainly be more polished and also have a bit more ambition in the messages that they purport to deliver. The scientific contributions in this publication are the expression, by all means not exhaustive of the entire spectrum of apicultural issues at stake, of the various and most important themes that revolve around the apicultural sector in different scientific domains as well as geographical regions. We only tried to put them nicely and conveniently all together in a single and hopefully useful publication. There is not one single way of practicing beekeeping round the world that fits all scenarios. There is instead a host of different realities that need to be properly and consistently contextualised to ensure that beekeeping thrives in a sustainable fashion and passes the hard test of time against the reckless assaults that mankind is delivering to the environment and to the bees. Our hope and wish is that this collection of insights, reflections and informed recommendations from the experts of Apimondia may act as a guiding and reference tool for all those who operate as policymakers or hold stakes in the apicultural sector wherever they are located. Respecting the bees entails taking very good care of the environment thus ensuring a bright and sustainable future also to mankind in the process.

Riccardo Jannoni-Sebastianini Secretary-General of Apimondia

Apimondia 4 WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY

KEY MESSAGES FROM APIMONDIA

TThe list of issues that impact beekeepers globally continues to grow, become more complex and ever more interrelated.

The Executive Committee of Apimondia recently spent time examining bee and beekeeping related issues and trying to prioritise the impact of the issues on beekeeping globally.

Whilst this list is not designed to be totally exhaustive, it is clear that there are ﬁve main issues that impact all regions of the world. Apimondia is focusing on some of the biggest issues facing beekeepers and discussion of global issues helps people around the world ﬁnd global solutions to these problems. Greater global collaboration, leadership, focus and actions can help to lessen their impact on beekeepers and through this improve the outlook of food security for all.

Perhaps the greatest challenge for beekeepers is operating in an environment of increasing agricultural intensity negatively impacted by climate change. The landscape for bees is being driven by the dilemma of feeding a growing global population. Never before has the environment for bees become so hostile in so many parts of the world. The impact is keenly felt for beekeepers as they navi- gate issues such as pesticide and chemical use and their impact on bees. Apimondia also notes that the issue of the environment is in many ways the most challenging to solve but we must continue to strive for a better environment for our bees to exist and thrive.

The next challenge to the viability of beekeeping is that of honey fraud (adulteration) in all its various forms and declinations. Adulteration of honey (and bee products more generally) and the impact on the market it produces has lead to dysfunctional beekeeping economics in almost every corner of the world. Honey fraud threatens the basis upon which natural quality beehive products compete and sadly much of the value chain is still blind to the threats of fraudulent honey and bee products. Apimondia will play an increasingly important role in driving solutions to honey fraud into the future as it is the voice that represents the beekeepers globally.

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 5

Apimondia recognises that the key to solving many of the challenges facing beekeeping and bees lies in the hands of increased awareness of both the public and policy makers across many topics. To this end we can not focus enough on strategies that improve awareness and lead to a more informed and educated global community who hold the bee at the core of food production and food security. The World Bee Day represents an ideal and vast-echoing forum for delivering messages on the state of health of the apicultural sector.

Probably eternally on the list of issues impacting bees will be that of bee health, nutrition and biology. The key scientiﬁc role that Apimondia plays in supporting a network of scientists and beekeepers whose lives are devoted to advancing knowledge and practices that lead to better health is crucial. Apimondia reckons that progress in these areas will be achieved through strategic partnerships to aggre- gate on an international scale both knowledge and ﬁnancial resources to be put at the service of these key issues.

On a more positive note beekeepers do have control of many factors. Improvements in good beekeeping practices and advancing knowledge helps beekeepers to do everything within their own control to take good care of their bees and improve the returns from their efforts or businesses. To this end Apimondia’s networks and members play are able to provide leadership and disseminating real life examples of best practice.

Apimondia through a strategic planning process is currently exploring the best ways to build strategies to help build the proﬁle of Apimondia and grow the peak body of the beekeeping associations of the world in a way that meets the fast paced, constantly changing beekeeping community. It is clear that Apimondia needs to play a larger role than that of organising the congresses for which it has become world renowned.

The celebration of World Bee Day is an incredible opportunity to inform people about the issues beekeepers face and will act as an increasingly important annual tool to build public awareness.

World Bee Day helps sow the seeds within the broader community to bring changes at all levels. Whilst ever our focus remains with the bee we can be sure that all of our interests will be well served.

Apimondia

WORLD BEE DAY 7

THE HUMBLE HONEY BEE

One of the most exciting developments in beekeeping today is the recognition of the importance of the honeybee. In December 2017 at the United Nations in New York ‘World Bee Day’ was ofﬁcially th announced for the 20 May. Great credit is due to our colleagues from Slovenia for their efforts in having ‘World Bee Day’ declared.

Throughout history beekeeping has been part of mankind’s development and in practically every century new innovations were identified. We know that the Egyptians were practicing a form of beekeeping around 2400 - 2600 years ago during the time of the ‘Old Kingdom’. From drawings and writings, we know that the powerTur of aliquidfire and smokeelitius wasne vendisidentified, beekeepers were depicted blowing smoke into hives as they removedadit, the sam, honey-combs. aut maiorerfere The honey num would then be stored in earthenware jars. Coming forward toque the sixteenth pratiores century dolorem we learned everia that the Spanish brought the first European honey bees to South America.qui apietThrough the seventeenth and eighteenth century we had major developments not least of which was the movable frame hive. George Wheler, Johann Dzierzon and Lorenzo Langstroth all added to what we now regard as modern day beekeeping. So, beekeeping continues to evolve. Across the world we continue to see the rise of ‘natural beekeeping’, otherwise known as ‘bee-friendly’ or ‘api-centric beekeeping’. This has, in turn, resulted in the developments of different kinds of hives, intended to allow the bees to build natural combs.

The importance of the honeybee in pollination is now recognised globally and much of our food, and indeed some fabric being produced, depends on pollination. With all this development our beloved honeybee perhaps did not get the recognition it deserved. Apimondia, through its Scientific and Regional Commissioners, give an over view of the developments in Beekeeping globally. Beekeeping Economy, Bee Health, Apitherapy, Bee Biology, Technology & Quality, Rural Development and Pollination & Bee Flora - each addresses the issues facing beekeepers and give you an overview of the work being done on a global scale as we now face new challenges that affect not only the honeybee but also mankind itself. Each of our five Regional Commissioners can identify, in their respective areas, the difficulties that face our membership and give guidance and leadership when and where required. As the world leader in beekeeping, Apimondia, at each of its congresses, has been to the fore in presenting solutions to the myriad of problems now facing the honeybee, but we need to address these problems to the wider public.

The announcement of ‘World Bee Day’, approved in December by the United Nations, brings the honeybee and its importance to a whole new audience. Recognition for the fact that honeybees play such a critical role in pollination of various plants and crops, their decline across the globe means a growing risk to the nutrition of people living in areas most dependent upon those foods. They are critical pollinators: they pollinate 70 of the around 100 crop species that feed 90% of the world. Honeybees are responsible for $30 billion a year in crops. We may lose all the plants that bees pollinate, all the animals that eat those plants and so on up the food chain.

Philip McCabe President of Apimondia

Apimondia 8 WORLD BEE DAY CONTENTS

3 presentation

4 key messages from apimondia

7 message from the president of apimondia

11 ON THE INITIATIVE OF SLOVENIA 20TH MAY WAS DECLARED WORLD BEE DAY BY THE UNITED NATIONS Peter Kozmus

15 apimondia an important meeting place Asger Søgaard Jørgensen

19 africa arising » p. 11 David Mukomana 23 issues of concern for beekeepers in the americas Misael Cuevas Bravo

29 Asia is a haven for bees Cleofas R. Cervancia

33 EUROPE: the state-of-the-art amidst threats and opportunities Diego Pagani

37 OCEANIA: REGIONAL INFORMATION austRALIA & NEW ZEALAND Jodie Goldsworthy and Maureen Maxwell

» p. 19

Apimondia WORLD BEE DAY 9

International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations -Apimondia www.apimondia.org

43 APIThERAPy CURRENT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES Cristina Mateescu

47 honey science Karl Crailsheim

51 beekeeping as a source of well-being Nicola Bradbear

57 APICULTURE, the challenges of tomorrow Etienne Bruneau

61 CURRENT SITUATION » p. 43 OF THE INTERNATIONAL HONEY MARKET Norberto García

65 threats and importance of bee pollinators in human-dominated landscapes Fabrice Requier

69 challenges to honey bees from pest and diseases Jeff Pettis

72 GOOD BEEKEEPING PRACTICEs (GBPS) AND DISEASE PREVENTION Jorge Rivera-Gomis et al.

» p. 57

Apimondia 10 WORLD BEE DAY WORLD BEE DAY 11 ON THE INITIATIVE OF SLOVENIA 20TH MAY WAS DECLARED WORLD BEE DAY BY THE UNITED NATIONS

Peter Kozmus

THE ROLE OF BEES Bees and other pollinators are of extreme signiﬁcance for the lives of people. As much as one third of food produced in the world depends on pollination and bees hold the On 20th December 2017, 20th May most important role in this among all pollinators. Among other things, was declared World Bee Day by the pollination makes it possible to have agricultural production that guaran- General Assembly of the United Nations tees safe food supply and bees with their highly nutritious products are in New York. This concluded a lengthy also important contributors to better food quality for people. process, which started in 2014. WIDER SIGNIFICANCE Numerous institutions had taken part in it OF POLLINATION TThrough pollination bees have and through it all it was clear that the saying positive effects on the whole ecosystem and the related preservation World Bee Day unites Slovenians and connects of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the key to the development and pre- the world is true - this was uttered by servation of natural environment. Among others things, it provides State Secretary Tanja Strniša, MSc, when food, oxygen, it puriﬁes our water and air, it keeps the weather and the idea was presented in 2015 in Brussels climate stable and helps improve the capability of adapting to chan-

Apimondia 12 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

ges. Apart from that, bees are a to increasing areas of land with good bioindicator of environmen- single-crop farming and due to the tal conditions. By monitoring their changed and more intensive grass development and health we can production technology there is less make assessments as to when so- and less land with nectar plants; mething is going on in a particular what is more, it provides bees with environment and when an action the necessary food of poorer variety has to be taken. If we fail to react than in the past and during shorter to warning signs in time, the later periods only. Apart from that, bees consequences can be even more de- face global climate change, new di- vastating. Apart from that, bees are seases and pests, globalisation and important for many other reasons, several other threats. which are presented in the new People are not aware enough of book No bees, No Life. these and other facts and this is one of the main reasons we need THE ENDANGERMENT World Bee Day. OF BEES intensive farming. Their habitat is Recently bees and other pollinators changing and shrinking, and this WHY 20TH MAY? are becoming more and more en- makes their living and development 20th May was proposed because dangered, especially in areas with conditions poorer and poorer. Due this is the birthday of Anton Janša

Apimondia WORLD BEE DAY 13

(1734-1773), a well-known pione- er of modern beekeeping and one of the leading experts on bees of his time. He was the first teacher of modern beekeeping in the world because he was appointed a profes- sor at the new beekeeping school in Vienna by the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. His work and life is described in many books on beekeeping, including Svetovna zgodovi- na čebelarjenja (Global Beekeeping History) published in 1999. FROM THE IDEA TO THE DECLARATION More than three years have passed from coming up with the idea to the declaration. Neither of us involved in making this happen knew at the beginning that the whole process would be so de- manding and time-consuming. Between the idea and the declaration, therefore, many steps were taken; many events, meeting, vi- sits etc. took place that helped us reach the final goal. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF) was involved in many activities during the whole process; to promote the initiative it also built the Bee World pavilion, which thrilled numerous visitors at various events, particularly outside Slovenia. These are the main steps or rather milestones in the process from the start until the final declaration: 14.09.2014. The Slovenian Beeke- epers’ Association (SBA) President comes up with the idea for World

Apimondia 14 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Bee Day Declaration Initiative. 7.07.2017. The support of FAO at us human beings too. Not only big 26.09.2014. The Minister of the ministerial conference. steps matter here, each and every Agriculture Dejan Židan, MSc, 20.12.2017. In New York, Uni- one who improves the survival of from MAFF expresses his support ted Nations declares 20th May bees counts. for the idea. World Bee Day. 6.10.2014. The idea receives sup- Further information on World ACTIONS WE CAN TAKE port from Borut Pahor, the Presi- Bee Day (WBD), past and upco- TO IMPROVE dent of Slovenia. ming events, important milesto- THE SURVIVAL OF BEES: 2.04.2015. The Slovenian go- nes, along with various e-mate- • plant native nectar plants (the vernment, on the initiative of rials that may be useful for event list can be obtained on SBA’s web MAFF, approves the initiative organisers, is available on the fol- page); and appoints an inter-ministerial lowing webpage: www.worldbee- • use nectar plants for decorative working group to carry out the day.org/si purposes (on balconies and other whole process. areas outside); 10.6.2015. The initiative is pre- • preserve old meadows with greater sented to the Director-General CELEBRATING plant variety; of the Food and Agriculture Or- WORLD BEE DAY • sow meadows with nectar plants. ganization of the United Nations The main purpose of celebrating • only mow the blossoming mea- (FAO), Mr José Graziano da Sil- World Bee Day is threefold: dows after blooming; va, and to the countries associated 1. making people aware of how • buy honey and other hive pro- with the FAO Regional Offices. important bees are for our sur- ductsat the nearest beekeeper; 15.09.2015. At the 44th Inter- vival, • give moral support to beekeepers; national Apicultural Congress in 2. becoming acquainted with cur- • set aside a suitable piece of Daejeon, South Korea, the initia- rent issues in protecting bees, farmland available for bees on a tive receives support and endor- and temporary or permanent basis; sement from the largest interna- 3. informing the public about me- • limit the use of pesticides that tional beekeeping organisation asures that have to be taken by are harmful to bees; Apimondia. all of us so that bees will have a • mow blooming plants in orchards 30.09.2016. The presentation of better chance of surviving in the and vineyards before spraying the initiative to the Committee future. with pesticides. on Agriculture at the Food and Not enough has been done for the The above-mentioned options are Agriculture Organization of the bees by simply establishing the not suitable for everyone but I United Nations (FAO) in Rome WBD and most of the work is still believe that each person can look (1st step of the formal procedure unfinished. Celebrating WBDs is through them and find an idea within FAO). an opportunity that can be used to about what he or she can do in 9.12.2016. The presentation of good advantage by organisations future to help bees survive. If we the initiative to the Council of involved in beekeeping. In this re- come up with ideas and then put the Food and Agriculture Orga- spect, it would be great if as wide them into practice, World Bee Day nization of the United Nations a public as possible was included will serve its purpose. (FAO) in Rome, Italy (2nd step in order to help us improve con- of the formal procedure within ditions for the survival of bees as Peter Kozmus FAO). best as it can and in the process of Vice-President of Apimondia

Apimondia WORLD BEE DAY 15

APIMONDIA AN IMPORTANT MEETING PLACE

Asger Søgaard Jørgensen

information between practical beekeepers and scientists. In order to give the beekeepers access to the best scientific advice and to bring the experiences and problems faced by the beekeepers to Former President the attention of the scientists. These objectives are still evident at of Apimondia the many meetings organised un- 1999 - 2009 der the umbrella of Apimondia. The biannual congresses with thousands of participants are unique compared with the other Now: scientific congresses, as the parti- Voluntary assistant This year Apimondia celebrates its cipants represent all aspects of the 121 years of existence. sector from small scale beekeepers to the management Many changes have happened since to large scale producers, the bee the first International Apicultural breeders, the honey traders, the Congress was held in 1897 in Brus- manufactures of equipment and Read more about sels in Belgium. But the vision of the the scientists. Lots of information organisation as been unchanged. is shared, lots of discussions and the organisation on • To bring everybody involved in lots of friendships across borders apiculture together irrespective of are established. the website: nationality, race, religion, politi- In the years between the congresses, www.apimondia.com cal standpoint or other issues that an increasing number of specialist so easy create borders between symposia and conferences are mainly people. joined by scientists and advisors. • To facilitate the exchange of During the last decades the impor-

Apimondia 16 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Through Apimondia beekeepers make friends worldwide. Here a group of Danish beekeepers visiting beekeepers in Argentina. tance of Apimondia as an interna- blems caused by the neonicotinoid Day” by the United Nations is ano- tional Non Governmental Organi- pesticides. A problem that was ther example on how the actions zation has increased. strongly raised by practical beekee- taken by a member organisation Recently the importance of Api- pers, who experienced massive los- “The Slovenian Beekeepers’ Asso- mondia has been shown in the ac- ses of bees. ciation” with the support of Api- tions taken to investigate the pro- The declaration of the “World Bee mondia is fulfilled with success. Important to notice is that it is not just an international honeybee day. But it is a day for all bees that con- tributes to the pollination of plants. Just now problems with adulterated honey in the market represent an important issue that needs the close cooperation between beekeepers and scientists. Scientific studies are needed to find ways to unravel the falsifications and the lobbying on the authorities from the beekeepers to take action in order to be able to guarantee the quality of the product from apiculture. Honey and other products from apiculture are important commo- dities and remedies as food supplements. But even more important is the value of bees as pollinators of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide.

At the Apimondia symposium in Hanoi, Vietnam, Asger Søgaard Jørgensen the representative of FAO, Mr. HZ Lea, visited a bee yard with Apis cerana. Former President of Apimondia

Apimondia

David Mukomana

Africa is one of the continents full clude bee diseases, harsh weather of hope, potential and massive op- conditions, excessive use of agro- portunities in Beekeeping that the chemicals and rapid industrializa- world can take note of. Blessed tion that is taking away the natural with its natural forests, vast tracks habitat for the bees. Yet African bee of land, good bee-friendly all year- colonies are increasing. The organic The African round weather conditions and na- increase of bee colonies in Africa Regional tural bees make Africa the place to has seen it maintain the quality of get bee products that are of high honey that is pure and natural, free Commission quality. of traces of excessive antibiotics and With the increased awareness of agro-chemicals. has been invited the potential in beekeeping, many Governments throughout the re- to attend the communities in Africa have em- gion have realized the potential in braced initiatives governments and bees as a mitigation measures for: International Development Partners have embar- 1. Poverty Eradication. ked on to uplift the lives of many 2. Environmental Conservation. Meetings of Young people in rural Africa. It is with 3. Food security. Beekeepers with these positive developments that 4. Rural development. a number of African countries are As such, greater attention is now the intention of dis- recording higher increases of honey given to beekeeping and the honey and bees wax exports, contributing sector resulting in a number of edu- cussing and coming signiﬁcantly to foreign currency cational campaigns and channeling up with ways of earnings to their economies. Of of resources towards funding beeke- note is Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania eping projects. Countries such as generating interest in and Zambia. Nigeria have identiﬁed Apiculture There are many challenges other as the economic driver. Tanzania beekeeping among regions are facing that has seen a has institutions within the Mi- the African youths. decline in bee colonies. These in- nistry of Forestry that deals with

Apimondia 20 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Picture of community including Traditional Leaders, School Heads, Ministry of Education officials and School children who attended a recent Beekeeping Meeting at Muzokomba Government High School - Zimbabwe where the Regional President for Africa addressed them on the need to start beekeeping at schools in line with the New Education Curriculum in Zimbabwe. beekeeping. Ethiopia is another sults in the host countries. Uganda, 2014; the second one planned for example. Botswana has a Beekee- Zambia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and December 2018 in Addis Ababa - ping Division within the Ministry Rwanda have hosted the previous Ethiopia. A lot of work has already of Agriculture. South Africa is the Api-Expos and the results are evi- begun and plans are at an advanced same with a special section within dent, resulting in a rush by a num- stage to see this symposium record the Department of Agriculture, Fo- ber of countries seeking to host the a success under the theme “The restry and Fisheries. next Expositions. Role of Bees in Food Production”. The surge in global demand for na- Nigeria is hosting the Api-Expo Seeing the results of the past sym- tural honey and bees wax has seen 2018 in the month of September posium and the extent of the be- many African beekeepers see the 2018 where the attendance is ex- nefits other regions are getting potential to grow their activities pected to bit the previous largest from having a number of sympo- organically. The African bee colo- gathering of 3,000 delegates in sia regularly, the African Regional nies are increasing and the demand Ethiopia in 2012. Commission has plans to have the for African honey and bees wax are ApiTrade Africa is also making in- region host at least one symposium surging. roads in terms of marketing Afri- every year so the rate at which Api- can beekeeping and honey industry culture information is disseminated To complement the efforts of Afri- through the African Honey Maga- covering all the seven Apimondia can governments, there are a num- zine (AHM) that is published quar- Scientific Commissions is doubled. ber of Not-for Profit organizations terly. This publication provides a that have added their weight to platform for stakeholders to share The excitement in Africa about the development and commercia- their experiences across the Apicul- beekeeping can be rightly measured lization of beekeeping in Africa. ture sector and is widely circulated by the sharp increase in the number ApiTrade Africa is one such orga- electronically and hard copies. of enquiries from African Countri- nizations that is doing immense Africa has been slow in terms of es on the possibility of hosting Api- work in marketing and connecting holding Apimondia events: with an mondia Congress in the near futu- African honey regionally and inter- international congress held in 2001 re. Governments and Stakeholders nationally. A number of Api-Expos in South Africa and one sympo- alike have been making efforts to have been held with massive re- sium held in Tanzania in November establish how they can host Api-

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 21

mondia events so as to boost their Apiculture sectors. This shows the effectiveness of the marketing and publicity various stakeholders are making about the beneﬁts of beekeeping to the environment and the economies.

The African Regional Commis- sion has been invited to attend the International Meetings of Young Beekeepers with the intention of discussing and coming up with ways of generating interest in beekeeping among the African youths. As such a number of Afri- can countries have been invited to attend the France meeting in July, a strategy the African Regional Commission takes seriously. So much so the commission would like to see the participation of David Mukomana - Apimondia Regional Commission for Africa President (left) African countries rise from just th- and Mr T. Mutomba from Ministry of Education - Zimbabwe (right) with ree to at least 15 by 2021. Munyaradzi Benzi (middle), one of the pupils selected to attend International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (July 2018) in France. Africa is excited about the World Bee Day. This day will bring more awareness of the importance of the bee and especially the African Bee that needs to be protected and pre- served given the massive advantages attached to it. Celebrating the 20th of May each year will see a massive boost in Apiculture activities as well as a stop to the decline in natural forests in Africa when communities realize the potential they have to earn a living from these forests and the bees. David Mukomana President Mr Mathew Chigere - Apiculture Specialist responding Regional Commission to questions on bee pests and diseases in Zimbabwe for Africa

Apimondia

WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 23

ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR BEEKEEPERS IN THE AMERICAS

Misael Cuevas Bravo

Among the issues of relevant con- mies and has very negative effects cern of continental beekeeping is on the biodiversity of the territori- the growing vulnerability to which es. Beekeepers are affected by pro- our bees and pollinators in gene- ductive spaces because monocultural are exposed; mortality rates of res are a green desert for bees and hives in the apiaries have increa- pollinators in general. Bees do not sed, mainly associated with causes ﬁnd the diversity of nutritional ele- linked to the indiscriminate use ments for their maintenance, deve- The experience of pesticides, the lack of nutrition lopment and defense. due to large areas of monoculture, As organised beekeepers we have gained in sanitary the presence of parasites mainly carried out diverse actions of public pilots highlights varroa, among other causes. From visibility, informing the citizens the regional perspective, the fol- and authorities of our concern in the need to promote lowing points of concern can be this matter. and encourage considered. monitoring and 1. REDUCTION 2. MORE COMPLEX coordinated OF PRODUCTIVE SPACES ENVIRONMENTS treatments Bearing in mind the role assigned FOR PRODUCTION to Latin America in the global con- The current development model among beekeepers text associated with the production and monocultures in particular of raw materials and food for the are characterised by the intensive world, in rural areas the presence use of pesticides and chemical pro- of large extensions of monocultures ducts. The trend in Latin America managed mainly by multinational is to increase the use of agrochemi- corporations has intensiﬁed, which cals with low regulations and over- directly impacts on the local econo- sight for their import and applica-

Apimondia 24 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

tion, the above not only affects the the Chilean National Beekeeping the test pilots consider four main bees and pollinators but also leaves Federation FG, which accounts stages. its footprint on the deterioration of for the test pilots to implement a the environment affecting the he- health management plan for bees, The collection of information alth of the land and waters. Biodi- whose results show considerable considered a first zonal census to versity is lost and risks in the qua- low levels of parasitic infestation incorporate all the beekeepers of lity of products and the health of using a methodology of territorial the territory to the pilot, as well as people are increasing. Beekeeping coordination of beekeepers among incorporating its georeference to organisations from various countri- other methods that are described recognise the type of interaction es in the region have held public below. between the apiaries detected and events to protest against this issue. the reinfestation risk that is presen- For beekeepers linked to the Chi- ted by the pilot. lean Federation the fight against 3. INCREASE the varroa parasite has been one IN PRODUCTION COSTS of the growing concerns because The concern and action to support it is fought individually, with low the care of the bees and the eco- coordination among beekeepers in nomic activity derived from them the environment, where their bees means that plans for nutrition, he- interact, generating a high percen- alth and care of the bees are imple- tage of reinfestation among the mented with high intensity. In the apiaries of a territory, which has same way it is necessary to imple- meant an increase in the number of ment safety management plans for treatments, decrease in production, the bees. the products and mecha- weakening of bees and increase in nisms for risk management. All of winter mortality levels. the above entails a sharp increase in production costs which puts the The proposal to combat the levels profitability of the beekeeping busi- of infestation of this parasite in bees ness at risk, especially for the small is articulated in five pilots (trials) in The georeferencing of the apiaries of one of the pilots. producers who are the majority of four regions of Chile, and seeks to apicultural producers in the region. incorporate the idea that “varroa is a common enemy” that must be The second step involved the trai- 4. EXPERIENCE IN attacked jointly since individual ning and strengthening of knowled- HEALTH MANAGEMENT actions do not have an efficient or ge related to sanitary aspects (the- Based on the above, we want to sha- prolonged effect over time. In this oretical and practical), where the re an experience implemented by way the main steps to implement double-coil sieve is made for var-

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 25

roa counting (Source: http://teca. beekeepers who will continue to the cost of treatments performed by fao.org/es/read8663). In this way monitor and follow-up on varroa beekeepers in their apiaries, genera- the same beekeeper can perform levels, thus generating a proposal ting a decrease in winter mortalities the sampling of his/her apiaries. In for a national health plan ensuing caused by this parasite. addition, a person is designated to from the concerns and actual con- collect the data of the samplings (a textual situation of different beeke- The associative action carried out beekeeper or technician) periodi- epers and their territories, with the by the beekeepers is a generator of cally. next steps being the creation of positive productive impacts that apicultural sanitary defence com- also strengthens the organisations mittees. that participate in the pilots because it enhances the actions with the identity of the intervening territory.

Misael Cuevas Bravo President Regional Commission for the Americas

The beekeepers together with the technicians of each pilot were re- viewing the levels of varroa and evolution of the beehives in order to be able to have at disposal - periodically and systematically - objecti- ve and meaningful information of that territory in the following years.

With the experience gained in sanitary pilots, it emerges quite eviden- tly the need to promote and encourage monitoring and coordinated treatments among beekeepers, as these reduce the levels of varroa Pilots have generated forms of mo- infestation more efﬁciently, in ad- nitoring led by technicians and dition to generating a reduction in

Apimondia 26 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 27

Apimondia

WORLD BEE DAY 29 ASIA IS A HAVEN FOR BEES

Cleofas R. Cervancia

The Asian region, being in the tro- pollinator services in forest ecosy- pics is high in pollinator diversity. stems and are sources of liveliho- Its rich vegetation and mild climate od opportunities derived from supports the population of polli- honey and beeswax. Apis laborio- nators. Solitary and social bees are sa, the Himalayan giant bee is the among the important pollinator largest bee species. species. Other insect pollinators Koeniger et al. (2010) described The Asian region, are butterfly, moth, beetle and fly. the bees of Borneo and advoca- Birds and mammals pollinate big- ted for sustainable beekeeping being in the tropics ger flowers, However, honey bees with indigenous bees. The cavity- is high in pollinator are the most widely studied species nesting honeybee Apis nuluensis of pollinators. Of the 12 species of inhabits only the highlands of diversity. honeybees, 11 are native to Asia, Mount Kinabalu of Sabah, Bor- namely: dwarf honey bees (Apis an- neo Island. Its rich vegetation dreniformis and Apis florea), giant A promising species for crop pol- and mild climate honey bees (Apis dorsata, Apis la- lination and production of valua- boriosa, Apis dorsata binghami and ble products such as honey, pollen supports the popu- Apis breviligula) and cave nesting and propolis is represented by the honey bees (Apis koschevnikovi, stingless bees. In the Philippines, lation of pollinators. Apis cerana, Apis nigrocincta, Apis Malaysia and Thailand stingless Solitary and social nuluensis and Apis indica). The Eu- bees are being used for large sca- ropean honey bee Apis mellifera is le orchard pollination especially bees are among not native to Asia. Most pollination mango, rambutan and lanzones. studies were focused on high value The following technologies have the important agricultural and plantation crops. been developed and adopted pollinator species The giant bees, Apis dorsata, A. (www.teca.fao.org): propagation breviligula, A. dorsata binghami of stingless bees using coconut and A. laboriosa are providing shells, harvesting of honey, pollen

Apimondia 30 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Stingless bee beekeeper. and propolis from stingless bees mellifera. This shows that they bees are more diverse than honey and utilisation of stingless bees are truly polylectic with 69 fa- bees, consisting of 50 genera and for pollination. Based on pollen milies and 179 genera of plants around 600 species, with about analysis, stingless bees visit more recorded as hosts in the Indo- 80 species in Southeast Asia and wild and economic plants than Malayan/Australasian region (Ra- 11 in Australia (Heard, 2016). honey bees, Apis cerana and Apis smussen, 2008). Further, stingless In Asia, the most significant threats to local honey bee populations are deforestation, excessive hun- ting pressure, loss of nest sites, parasites and pathogens, climate change, forest fire, pesticides, street lighting, anthropogenic movement, tourism and competition with introduced Apis mellifera (Oldroyd and Nanork, 2009). The introduction of A. mellifera negatively impacted the population of local bees (He and Liu, 2011). Yang (2005) reported a reduction of the population of A. cerana by more than 75%. While pollinator diversity is still high in China, Giant bee, Apis breviligula, foraging on Mimosa pudica. Teichroew et al. (2016) identified

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 31

Apis breviligula. the same threats to diversity that are now observed globally. However, despite the importance of pollinators to agriculture, scientiﬁc data regarding the pollinators in the region, including native bee species have been limited and were generated using widely varying methods. It is necessary to develop a harmonised method to survey the state of pollinators in the region (on a country by REFERENCES country basis), their relative den- sity and relative abundance and He X., Liu X.Y. 2011. Factors of Apis cerana decline in China. Apicult. China. 62: 21-23. health. The initiative would seek Heard T. 2016. The Australian Native Bee Book. Keeping stingless bee hives for pets, pollina- to identify the most vulnerable tion and sugarbag honey. West End, Queensland: Sugarbag Bees. 246 p. scenarios, determine causes and Koeninger N., Koeninger G., Tingek S. 2010. Honey bees of Borneo: Exploring the Centre of provide mitigation methods in Apis Diversity. Natural History Publication (Borneo) Kota Kinabalu. xix+[i]+262 pp. order to protect the pollinators. Oldroyd B.P., Nanork P. 2009. Conservation of Asian honey bees. Apidology 40(3): 296-312 Oldroyd B.P., Wongsiri S. 2006. Asian Honey Bees: Biology, Conservation and Human Interactions, Harvard University Press, ISBN 0-674-02194-0, Massachusetts, USA. Cleofas R. Cervancia Rasmussen C. 2008. Catalog of the Indo-Malayan/Australasian stingless bees (Hymenoptera: President Apidae: Meliponini. (Zootaxa 1935@2008 Magnolia Press. 80 pp. (ISBN: 978-1-8677-295-6). Regional Commission Teichroew J.L., Xu J., Ahrends A., Huang Z.Y., Tan K., Xie Z. 2016. Is China’s unparalleled and for Asia understudied bee diversity at risk? Biological Conservation. Elsevier Ltd. (in press).

Apimondia

WORLD BEE DAY 33

EUROPE: THE STATE-OF-THE-ART AMIDST THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Diego Pagani

The establishment of the World Bee agents responsible for the collapse Day is an important tribute to the of the colonies were identified in insect that allows the life of the hu- three active neonicotinoid princi- man species on earth through the ples that acted on the bees’ orienta- tireless and continuous work of pol- tion system preventing their return I think that today the lination that maintains and promo- to the hive; the beekeepers were ab- beekeeping sector tes the spread and maintenance of solutely clueless being confronted biodiversity. Biodiversity is nothing with such unprecedented problem is confronted with more than the immune system of without understanding why the our planet and therefore it is fun- bees were disappearing at such high some major problems, damental that one day of the year is rate. When it did not perish the but at the same time dedicated to dialogue, promotion, colony was so weakened that the discussion on problems and oppor- other pathologies that were nor- it can still offer even tunities concerning this small insect mally treated could easily take over, and those who take care of it. so more causes contributed to the more opportunities In the last ten years bees and beeke- suppression of the family. and satisfactions, epers have faced very difficult chal- Some years have gone by and great lenges; in 2008 in Europe there was progress has been made; the Euro- the technical level a substantial loss of hives mainly pean Parliament has temporarily due to the lethal effects of neuro- suspended the three active princi- of European bee- toxic molecules used in agricul- ples, working in close collaboration keepers is very high tural pesticides, the mobilization with institutions, research and as- of beekeepers and the consequent sociations, there have been techni- and also as regards media resonance have led to incre- cal fora for dialogue on these issues ased awareness of the problem of and, even if what we achieved to- the fight against bees and better understanding of day is a drop in the sea, surely now diseases… how fragile is the balance on which there is a clear perception of the our ecosystem is based. The main extent of the problem.

Apimondia 34 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

The media overexposure that the sector has received in the darkest years continues today, as if our world had been rediscovered with all that wealth of magic and mystery that it carries inside and that puts that glimpse of enthusiasm and madness in the eyes of beekeepers when they talk about their work, this has led many young people, in a period of economic dif- been quite critical on the produc- the world’s largest importer and ficulty, to approach apiculture ensu- tion front (Spain, Italy, France consumer of honey, would allow a ring a generational change essential being the most penalized nations); massive entry into its market of a for maintaining the health of the sec- this situation was largely due to the large quantity of products (mainly tor. Reduced initial investment com- repercussions from climate changes from Asia), with several confirmed pared to other sectors of agriculture, that are increasingly influencing cases of adulteration. Honey is the combined with the unique stimuli of and affecting honeyflows and mar- third most counterfeited product this unknown world, have brought kets. If on one hand consumers’ in the world (C. Brusset), and a pla- new energy to the surface and it is choices keep the sector active, by gue for an entire sector, in Serbia it estimated that in the last five years evolving product requests with new is estimated that about 70% of ho- the number of beekeepers and hives specifications thus giving operators ney sold in organised distribution has increased by 20%. the opportunity to work on new is the result of adulteration and Certainly an important economic markets, also enhancing the other beekeepers in an attempt to try to opportunity combined with a market products of the hive: pollen, pro- stem this drift have drafted a very that grows transversely with respect polis, royal jelly, supplements ba- strict set of specifications and intro- to the past, today honey has eman- sed on bee products, etc., on the duced a customised jar that is sup- cipated itself from the image that has other hand production difficulties plied to those beekeeper retailers distinguished it for years when it was are becoming an increasingly heavy undergoing quality and traceability perceived as the natural remedy for burden on producers’ shoulders. controls, so that the consumer can seasonal ailments, we find it as an in- Honey shortages mainly had two immediately recognize a honey that gredient used by top chefs, offer on effects: comes from a virtuous and certified the market is vast and through this • beekeepers have progressively path. they have been able to propose dif- increased the number of their I think that today the beekeeping ferent monofloral honeys each with production units to maintain a sector is confronted with some ma- its own peculiarities and suitable for level of profitability that would jor problems, but at the same time a specific use, the research carried out allow them to retain the econo- it can still offer even more oppor- in recent years not only tells us that mic sustainability of their com- tunities and satisfactions, the tech- it is the healthiest sweetener, but also pany; nical level of European beekeepers for example that taken daily has a re- • the unavailability of honey as a is very high and also as regards the medial effect to the modifications of commodity has encouraged an fight against diseases (with varroa- the DNA caused by direct exposure increase in average market prices. sis in the first place), in recent years to pesticides (R. Alleva). This, in particular, has meant that very effective biotechnical practices The last four years in Europe have the European continent, which is have been put in place and the re-

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 35

gistration of preparations based on epers in the area and the climate other useful insects and amphi- organic acids and new products that apparently does not favour bians, have already heavily polluted with synthetic active ingredients its rapid development and spread. surface waters in many countries. are definitely helping contrast stra- Periodically we hear about Aethina In many cases, non-nectariferous tegies. A rather critical situation in tumida findings in several countries cultivars or with very short flowe- this respect is currently being expe- (Switzerland, France), but to date ring periods are preferred, reducing rienced in Spain and is bound to no case has been confirmed and I more and more the pastures that improve the status of their farms believe that for the time being they can be usefully foraged by the bees. only through a thorough revision can be filed as fake news. This is according to an agricultural the “disease control strategy” in the The crucial request that, as Api- model of US derivation, where in light of an organic approach and in mondia, we should ask the po- the 1920s they had 9 mln of hives the context of integrated control. licy-makers in favour of European that were reduced today to about 2 Italy is today the only European beekeepers would be to take some mln, and where the average lifespan country in which the small beehi- steps to rethink the current agricul- of a queen bee has been recorded as ve beetle Aethina tumida is present, tural model, a model that today does less than six months instead of the and at the moment it has managed not take into account the future, standard five years. to keep it confined within the Ca- the next generations, based as it is Diego Pagani labria region through the strategies on monocultural extensions heavily President implemented by the Ministry of dependent on the use of chemicals Regional Commission Health, the associations of beeke- that in addition to poisoning bees, for Europe

Apimondia

WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 37 OCEANIA REGIONAL INFORMATION AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Jodie Goldsworthy and Maureen Maxwell

Apimondia is the link that brings glo- epers are keen to make good from bal apiculture science to the Oceania the growing consumer trend that region. Highly specialized and pro- sees people wanting to know more fessional beekeepers from Australia about where their food is produced. and New Zealand forge global con- Australian beekeepers are saddened nections with international scientists by Australia’s vast and diverse ho- Bees are kept from the world over through links ney collection being known simply primarily for honey. made at Apimondia congresses and as “Eucalypt” honey globally and via the Apimondia global network. niche honey exporters are begin- Most honey would For a developing apicultural country ning to showcase a broader range such as Fiji Apimondia offers a uni- of Australian honeys. qualify que opportunity to learn from other as ‘organic’ countries that are more mature from Australian beekeepers are the lu- a beekeeping perspective. Apimon- ckiest in the world because they by the Paciﬁc dia makes the world a smaller place keep bees without varroa. They and the Oceania region is grateful are highly professional with strong Organic Standard, for the Apimondia network in hel- traceability of their products pro- but not ping it to meet challenges and grow viding the ability through good re- opportunities. cord keeping to differentiate many typically marketed varietal honeys and geographic pro- AUSTRALIA duction areas. Australia has recently as organic. Australia is richly endowed with adopted a voluntary National Bee Wax is commonly over 780 species of eucalypts, an- Biosecurity Code of Practice which gophora or myrtaceae trees indi- incorporates mandatory ongoing a secondary genous only to Australia. Many of pest and disease training for com- Australia’s unique honeys are relati- mercial beekeepers and compliance product. vely undiscovered by the rest of the with the code is required to allow world and many Australian beeke- registration as a beekeeper.

Apimondia 38 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Much of Australia’s pollination agricultural production relies on mum honeys is demonstrating im- of clean green food crops is cur- honey bee pollination. pressive activity levels across many rently done through incidental Leptospermum species in Austra- pollination by wild European Australia’s unique position in the lia and offering the opportuni- honeybees that have established bee world makes it the only count- ty for Australia to create its own within the environment and only ry in the world able to produce unique set of active and highly high value horticultural crop gro- chemical free beeswax because of sought after honeys that would be wers (almonds, apples, blueberri- the absence of chemical use to even more varied than the active es, kiwi fruits, seed growers, etc.) control bee pests or diseases. The honeys originating in New Zea- pay commercial beekeepers to rest of the world is now well aware land. Australia is well positioned bring their bees for pollination. of this fact making Australian be- to complement the New Zealand Informing agriculture of the im- eswax highly sought after. offer with a broader range of hi- portant role bees play is a task ghly sought after honeys. actively undertaken by Australian The production of highly active beekeepers who need the sup- honeys from Australia’s vast Lep- Lobbying efforts of the Australian port of farmers to convince go- tospermum plants is just in its in- beekeeping industry are paying off vernments that more can be done fancy stages. Australia has over 80 with the Australian Government to protect our environment from cousins of the well-known Ma- also recently opting to increase exotic bee pests that also threaten nuka (Leptospermum scoparium) their budget for increased covera- agriculture and food production. which has been made famous by ge of ports for the surveillance for Australian research has shown our New Zealand cousins. Recent varroa. Australia operates a senti- that around 65% of Australia’s research on Australian Leptosper- nel hive programme where moni-

Apimondia WORLD BEE DAY 39

toring for varroa is jointly mana- Australia’s healthy bee populations growth despite poor harvest condi- ged by Government and industry. are likely to feature more heavily tions in the last year. Fires, floods, The programme also includes a in the future in global bee rese- earthquakes and inclement weather catch box system, floral sweeping arch. Australia may be a long way working against the bees and their and now with the addition of the from the rest of the world but if we keepers. Bee Biosecurity Programme sur- are all to manage global threats to veillance for varroa by all registe- bees and beekeeping we must all New Zealand produces some of red beekeepers. work together to make the world a the finest honey in the world with smaller place to bring together the many unique floral sources due The interest in combined polli- brightest minds and most innova- to our island status including our nation and honey production has tive thinkers to collectively find manuka with its famous medicinal been the impetus for the planning solutions to challenges that impact properties. Our strict no antibio- by the Australian Honey Bee In- every single beekeeper the world tic law ensures we also have some dustry Council for the Third Au- over. The regions of the world that of the purest honey globally. With stralian Bee Congress specially make up Apimondia will act more vast expanses of untamed forests themed “Pollination & Beekee- importantly in the future to form and unpolluted pastures, condi- ping for the Future Symposium” the glue that holds all beekeepers tions for excellent honey prevail. to be held at the Royal Pines on together and sees us learn from ex- the Gold Coast, Queensland from perience in lands far removed. The increased global awareness of Wednesday 27 th June to Saturday the unique medicinal properties 30th June 2018. The symposium NEW ZEALAND of New Zealand manuka honey has been officially endorsed as an The New Zealand apiculture indu- has led to substantial investment Apimondia Symposium. stry is in a period of unprecedented in the sector. Government rese-

Apimondia 40 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

arch, plantings of specific strains, blueberries. Covered crops are be- beekeepers in Fiji. Mostly small- improved infrastructure in proces- coming more popular but less fa- scale, with approximately 20 sing and medicinal grade honey vorable with beekeepers that want beekeepers with 100+ hives. Al- handling. Many new beekeepers to preserve bee strength for honey most all are keeping bees for fi- are being trained and government production, so pollination prices nancial gain - almost no ‘hobby’ research scientists and laboratories are rapidly increasing. beekeepers. Field work is under- are investing considerable resources taken 80% by men and 20% by to identify unique factors to New Hive theft and hive vandalism is women. Post-harvesting work is Zealand manuka and other honeys a growing issue due to the high undertaken 50% by men and 50% to fight adulteration and fraudu- value of hives and colony income by women. lent honey practices. International potential. Tension over honey pro- plantings of manuka plantations duction sites has in some cases led There are between 10,000 and are on the rise in efforts to emulate to hive vandalism. Beekeepers are 13,000 hives in Fiji which are al- this crop. increasingly experimenting with most exclusively Langstroth hives. cameras and tracking technology to All deep or full depth hive bodies - The trend has been of increased protect hives. no shallow supers. There are a few hive numbers and increased honey top-bar hives. Fiji is producing production, therefore yields and re- The giant willow aphid has taken most boxes, covers and bottoms, turns have tripled in the past five hold with devastating effects on but still importing 50-60% of fra- years. Main issues facing the indu- both honey production and bee sur- mes and 90% of wax foundation stry are ongoing concerns about vival on many traditional sites. The from overseas (mostly from China bee health, competition for apiary abundance of willow honeydew has and New Zealand). sites and maintaining the confiden- increased wasp numbers alarmin- ce of the overseas consumers and gly. A Government Sustainable Far- Bees in Fiji are a cross-bred betwe- regulators in the integrity of New ming Fund is supporting research en the ‘black bee’ of northwest Eu- Zealand manuka honey. as to how best to combat this new rope and the Italian. It is estimated problem. that maybe 50% are Italian gene- Corporate and Iwi (Maori) in- tics at this point. Until thirty five vestment in beekeeping enterpri- Beekeepers are reporting increased years ago, most genetics were from ses via acquisitions, joint ventures expenditure and time commit- the black bee - very defensive, and and internal growth continues to ments associated with implemen- bees moved quickly on the comb. drive much of the increase in hive ting the Health and Safety at Work Importation of Italian bees in the numbers. There is a trend for larger Act, 2015. There has been increa- 1980s and 90s improved the gene- family businesses to secure honey sing investment in machinery and tics. There has been no import of supply by buying land in particular other tools to reduce heavy lifting bees into Fiji since New Zealand land with manuka. and smaller supers are in many found varroa mites in 2001. We cases being employed to reduce have a permit to import queens Other revenue sources are repre- weights along with purchasing of from Western Australia, but to sented by demand for pollination cranes and lifters. date none have been imported. with ongoing expansion in horticulture sectors including kiwi fruit, FIJI Fiji has American Foulbrood pip fruit, avocados, stone fruit and There are between 800 and 1,000 (AFB), but no European Foulbro-

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 41

od (EFB), varroa or hive beetles. to government instead of directly several local beekeeping associa- No beekeeper treats bees with any to NGOs, so not much training is tions and cooperatives. medication of any kind. AFB is available now to new beekeepers. the only serious disease, and no se- Many people express interest in star- Bees are kept primarily for honey. rious parasites. ting beekeeping. Markets are good. Most honey would qualify as ‘or- Beekeepers can make good money if ganic’ by the Pacific Organic Stan- The major challenges to beeke- they know what they are doing. dard, but not typically marketed as eping development are access to organic. Wax is commonly a secon- training and access to capital. Ina- There is a high failure rate of new dary product. There is currently no dequate training results in: beekeepers due to poorly-designed pollination work due to small-tract a) starving bees during the rainy development projects and people farms and no significant pollen or season; who underestimate the work and propolis harvesting. b) damaged comb due to wax skill involved. Failure rate of new moth from lack of hive inspec- beekeepers is estimated at 80%. Jodie Goldsworthy tions; President c) spread of AFB; There is an active national beeke- Regional Commission d) poor honey quality - high moisture eping association (Fiji Beekeepers for Oceania honey and burnt sugar cane Association) with a mentor pro- molasses taste are the most com- gramme, training programme and with contributions from mon quality problems. a honey quality programme. The Fiji Beekeepers Association has a Association has received funding Maureen Maxwell training programme, but now that assistance in recent years from the Vice President Fiji has an elected government al- EU, New Zealand High Commis- Regional Commission most all development funding flows sion and Australian aid. There are for Oceania

Apimondia

WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 43

APITHERAPY CURRENT SITUATION AND PERSPECTIVES

Cristina Mateescu

Apitherapy, a medical concept ba- good antibacterial. Honeys vary sed on scientific approach reinfor- according to their plant origins cing the traditional knowledge on and the conditions under which bee products and their nutritional they are produced. In the past, the and medicinal use. only source of food for bees was the Worldwide developments in the flower nectars or honeydew secre- Apitherapy and the field of bee products offer new per- tions; nowadays, bees are kept in spectives for their increasing use in modern movable-frame hives, and standardisation of various types of products: food sup- may produce totally or partially plements, functional food, medici- non-floral honey if, for example, bee products with nes for both humans and animals they have been fed on sugar syrup. medicinal destination and cosmetics. Complex and di- The honey extracted from such co- versified scientific studies related to lonies does not differ much from will open a new gate the composition, formulation sta- floral honey in colour or major bility, dose and therapeutic activity components, but may have inferior for beekeeping of these complex products meant curative properties. Unfortunately, activity. to ensure the efficacy, safety, quali- more than feeding the bees with ty and productivity have been and such products, honey adulteration Standardisation are currently carried out in many or improper processing is deeply af- countries of the world. fecting all the natural properties of includes the definition this precious product. of clear standards for BEE PRODUCTS There are differences in the honey AS FOOD AND produced by bees from other spe- the handling, process- MEDICINAL AGENTS cies than Apis mellifera (i.e. Apis ce- HONEY is well known for its food rana). Consequently, differences in ing and monitoring quality, but researches have shown medicinal properties and uses are of these products. that honey itself may be an excel- also found. Stingless bee honey is lent wound healing agent and a highly nutritious and is known for

Apimondia 44 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Honey massage demonstration at the XXI Apislavia Practical demonstration for bee venom acupuncture congress in Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2016. in a multiple sclerosis patient in La Habana, Cuba. its medicinal values (it is more aci- as with any other natural product. against radiation and in cancer dic and has a better antimicrobial European propolis, Brazilian gre- treatments. activity). The stingless bees exist in en propolis, red Brazilian propolis almost every continent. Origina- and Cuban propolis are but a few ROYAL JELLY - known in many cul- ting from Asia or the Americas this types to offer scientific evidence tures as an “elixir” or a super-food honey has been widely used across on medicinal applications. shows new perspectives for human time and space. It is however essen- Nutrient deficiencies and all the health. It is highly nutritious and, tial to understand the pharmacolo- health problems they cause are re- given some of its special com- gical mechanism of its actions. cognised worldwide as a growing pounds, offers open space to new problem. remedies in severe illnesses. PROPOLIS with its composition diversity offers itself a large varie- BEE COLLECTED POLLEN and its BEE LARVAE - drone larvae, worker ty of biological actions (antimi- natural derivative bee bread, con- larvae and even queen larvae (fol- crobial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, tains all the nutrients needed to lowing the royal jelly production) wound healing to mention but a sustain life and can be considered can be also considered a good few) with direct effects on seve- super-concentrated functional fo- source of nutrients with benefits ral human ailments and diseases. ods with direct effects on human to human and animal health. Specialised websites are offering health. In various cultures of the hundreds, sometimes thousands world these products are used for However, all the above-mentioned of scientific studies related to its vitality, extending longevity and as products have still to be clearly complex composition and bio- a complement for recovery from defined in respect to their health logical, physiological or medical various chronic diseases and even claims. The international regula- effects. However, international addictions. They can overcome tions related to food, novel food authoritative bodies do not ac- mental retardation and other de- and medicines require a careful as- cept health related claims as there velopmental problems in children. sessment on both their biological is no specific standardisation and Studies are on the run to assess the activities and side-effects. Curren- the composition is highly variable protecting activity of bee pollen tly, many studies are targeted to-

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 45

Training courses at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacology Visiting one of the Laboratories of the Pharmacology at Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey, 2018. Department in Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey, 2018. ward investigating health benefits tical industries have extensively ex- APITHERAPY A FUTURE and pharmacological properties plored the use of nanoparticles for FOR BEEKEEPERS leading to an increasing deve- the treatments against various di- Apitherapy and the standardisa- lopment of nutraceuticals and fun- seases especially for the treatment tion of bee products with medi- ctional food from these products. of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cinal destination will open a new Another important product of viral diseases (as type B and C he- gate for beekeeping activity. Stan- the bees - the venom in its na- patitis), metabolic syndrome dise- dardisation includes the definition tural form and apitoxin - the dry ases and also many others. of clear standards for the handling, bee venom - beside of being used processing and monitoring of the- in treating arthritis and inflam- CLINICAL TRIALS with well-de- se products. This type of produc- matory diseases is already repre- fined protocols are needed, but tion is considerably more deman- senting a hope for many patients standardisation, quality and the ding than the regular beekeeping suffering of cancer, neurological presence of contaminants are methods and, as a result, the pro- and other degenerative diseases. still main drawbacks in their ducts will have higher prices. Worldwide scientific literature credible use. However, in many counts more than 1,500 articles cases, clinical trials to investigate Spreading worldwide the value of on bee venom, among them re- complementary therapies can be the bees and their products, api- ports on animal studies, meta- problematic and thus an apithe- therapy could gain a respectful analysis and some, still modest, rapy clinical trial could be more and credible position among the clinical trials. complex than a simple admini- complementary and alternative stration of a pill. Some clinical therapies. TECHNOLOGIES - New technologies trials are also incompatible with meant to increase the bioavailabi- the approach of the patient in ta- lity of the active ingredients in bee king part in the healing process, Cristina Mateescu products (preparative techniques, an essential factor in apitherapy President extraction methods, nanotech) are as in many complementary the- Scientific Commission developed. Currently, pharmaceu- rapies. on Apitherapy

Apimondia

WORLD BEE DAY 47

HONEYBEE SCIENCE

Karl Crailsheim

The honeybee is considered to be them are essential) and to different one of the most important animal digestibility of the pollen content. for human nutrition. This is due This is especially important if bees not so much for the production collect only monofloral pollen. In of honey but for pollination. This nature bees mostly try to collect a and the problem bees and beeke- variety of different pollens and thus Different kinds of epers are fighting with (see figure) a mixture of low-value pollen can resulted in an increasing number of finally create a high value food. pollen have a dif- scientific publications worldwide. Under well controlled circumstan- Within the last decade more than ces in the laboratory a good qua- ferent value for the 10,000 such papers have been pu- lity pollen or a good mixture can development and the blished. Besides original papers also create a proper development re- the number of reviews and sum- garding various parameters as life performance of the marising papers have increased, the expectancy, body weight, protein latter are important as especially content, size of brood food glan- bees due to the differ- the interaction of various stressors ds, poison production, immune ent amount of protein, of the honeybees seems to be extre- competence, flight ability and mely complex. many more. If you now change so- to the different ratio To give examples for nutrition mething in the experimental set- (one of the important topics in the up, e.g. there is a sublethal amount and content of amino programme of the last Apimondia of insecticide in the food or the- acids (some of them congress in Istanbul, Turkey 2017). re is an infection, the results can Different kinds of pollen have a change and a certain pollen or a are essential) and to different value for the development pollen mixture - very well suitable and the performance of the bees for control situations - is not good different digestibility due to the different amount of enough anymore and some of the of the pollen content. protein, to the different ratio and diets are then better or worse than content of amino acids (some of others.

Apimondia 48 WORLD BEE DAY

Factors impacting on bees

To give another example for the detect sick brood or also sick adult ting her immune system thus being complexity: Varroa is still one of bees but recently it was found that more resistant against dangerous the biggest problems in keeping also sublethal damages from pesti- diseases although she herself never Apis mellifera. This parasite per se cides in brood and bees can be de- had contacted the cause of the in- damages the bee at various stages tected by hive mates and can pro- fection of the worker. by taking haemolymph from brood voke reactions. Future research into these complex and adults. It transfers viruses and Thus not only the contact with or mechanisms will be scientific bre- reduces the ability of the bees to the ingestion of harming substances akthroughs and also give a better fight against the viruses. Therefore or infectious material can cause ac- understanding of how the super or- much research is done on this com- tions, but also just the contact with ganism honeybee works. plex system. bees that are under the influence of As a third example of complexity, those factors can initiate reactions new insights into the ability of the that are positive for the colony as a Karl Crailsheim social insect honey bee to fight di- bigger unit. As an example for this: President seases are described in the literatu- if a queen has physical contact with Scientific Commission re. It is well known that bees can a diseased worker, she is upregula- on Bee Biology

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 49

Apimondia 50 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

A local style, home-made hive beats a frame hive in any test of proﬁtability. This beekeeper in Rwanda places his bee hives throughout the vast forest - a highly efﬁcient form of resource harvesting.

BEEKEEPING AS A SOURCE OF WELL-BEING

Nicola Bradbear

There is fresh perception of beekeeping as a craft at the forefront of transition towards a richer and more diverse global, ecological civilisation. A new generation of well-informed, ecologically aware, community-minded beekeepers are celebrating bees, and re-evaluating honey and beeswax for the fabulous and special products that they are. Beekeepers in many rural I am honoured to be President of this Commission and continue to consider what we mean and expect from Beekeeping areas of the world still for Rural Development. When I was first elected in 1993, the Commission was named ‘Beekeeping in developing countries’. have abundant bees I sought to change that name because the paradigm that had and healthy honey bee dominated policy on the political and economic course of so- called ‘developing’ or ‘third world’ countries since the end of the colonies yielding harvests Second World War was ending. Even the term ‘development’ implying a trajectory of change, should be considered carefully of residue-free honey at a time when bees along with insects in general are suffering and beeswax. catastrophic decline in many world regions. While nations have industrialised and become richer during the They have considerable past quarter century, many people have experienced no increase in financial wealth, and the gap widens between financially rich wisdom and experience and poor. However wealth cannot be measured only in mone- to share, and this tary terms. Bees are part of the planet’s ecological wealth, and beekeeping has distinctive cultural value in every society. In Apimondia Commission many of the financially poorer countries, beekeeping continues to be practised in highly sustainable ways that mean that large is keen to give them scale losses of honey bee colonies have not occurred, and much a voice. can be learnt from them. We need not strive for monocultural beekeeping!

Apimondia 52 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Small scale beekeeping enterprises sell honey through short market chains. Here a beekeeping family in Azerbaijan sell their honey and fruits at the roadside.

The beekeeping world includes diver- that generates wealth and well- system replicating as closely as pos- sity of species and races of bees, and it being; sible that of industrialised nations. needs to continue providing space for • Achieving ecological integrity: Yet the results of these projects are many different practises too - not just how to keep bees well on a diver- poor: frame hives are provided, one globalised method based on one se and finite planet; yet the impact on poverty allevia- industrial style of beekeeping with • Ensuring the contribution of in- tion is negligible. At Bees for De- one species of honey bee. Yet this is digenous beekeeping wisdom; velopment we witness projects in what has been achieved in nations • Best practice in using beekeeping many nations where recipients re- like Australia, Canada, China, India, as a feasible way to enable people port no benefit from being given New Zealand, USA, Vietnam, where to move out of poverty. frame hives. Cost benefit analyses exotic European honey bees are kept Highly sustainable beekeeping showing that a beekeeper can pay on huge scale, producing similar ho- is still practised where there re- back the cost of a frame hive after neys for a world market where they main intact, healthy populations a number of years are usually ba- must compete fiercely on price and of indigenous bees. For example sed on projected figures and not struggle to differentiate themselves in Sub-Saharan Africa honey bees from real field data, and long ago from increasing counterfeit honey. are healthy and beekeepers do not (Svensson, 2002) reported the failu- In all those nations smaller scale en- suffer from loss of colonies as is re of beekeeping projects based on terprises still exist too, providing high commonplace elsewhere. Yet many poor analysis and false projections. quality and speciality honeys to local beekeeping projects in tropical Describing the continued success markets. Africa continue to place emphasis of bark-hive beekeepers in North This Commission seeks to focus on adopting so-called ‘modern’ hi- West Zambia harvesting high qua- upon these aspects of apiculture: ves and ‘modern beekeeping’. Using lity organic honey and beeswax for • Raising the profile of beekeeping this vocabulary, ‘modern hives’ me- export to EU markets (Wainwright, as a resilient and adaptable craft ans ‘frame hives’ and a beekeeping 2018) reported: “It would be diffi-

Apimondia WORLD BEE DAY 53

cult to manage the African bees in perienced only in industrial-style to use so-called ‘modern’ frame hi- frame hives. Most importantly the beekeeping with temperate-zone ves (actually invented nearly 200 high capital cost of the hives would bees; years ago and little changed since burden beekeepers with debts they • Planners believing wrongly that then). Yet this is not correct. It would be unable to repay”. the style of bee hive is thekey in- is certainly possible for beekeepers Yet beekeeping projects persist in tervention point for poverty alle- living at subsistence-level to beco- focusing on changing technology viation; me more commercially orientated. (always from simple hives to more Throughout Africa the paradigm However this transformation is not complicated hives) against eviden- is for modernisation of agriculture. dependent simply upon bee hive ce that this approach rarely brings Modernisation of the dairy indust- technology, and provision of free long lasting or significant benefit ry means shifting away from tradi- equipment that cannot be made, (Lowore & Bradbear, 2009). The tional breeds and extensive pastora- mended or replaced locally does main drivers involved are: lism, towards new breeds and stall not allow progress for remote, rural • Planners, donors and intermediary feeding. Modernisation of horti- people. organisations favouring projects culture means growing cash crops Commercial agriculture depends that are easy to provide, involve and investing in technologies like upon enterprise analysis - working delivery of capital equipment, gi- refrigerated trucks. out the costs of production and en- ving tangible, visible evidence of People assume that modernisation suring profitability. A local style, their support; of beekeeping must necessarily call homemade hive beats a frame hive • Beekeeping ‘experts’ who are ex- for a change in the technology and in any profitability analysis. There

Boxes for stingless bees in El Salvador, protected from theft with barbed wire.

Apimondia 54 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

standing more about the need for genetic integrity of honey bee populations, their capacity for self- healing (Ritter, 2016), as well as the need for good, stress-free housing that resembles their natural nesting situation (Sharashkin, 2017). Beekeepers in many rural areas of is still no evidence proving that fra- sistence beekeeping to transform the world still have abundant bees me hive beekeepers in sub-Saharan into a commercial activity. Correct and healthy honey bee colonies yiel- Africa harvest greater total volumes situation analysis often reveals the ding harvests of residue-free honey of honey than beekeepers with local- need for: and beeswax. They have considera- style hives. Bees living inside a frame • Skills in harvesting and post- ble wisdom and experience to share, hive may well be managed so that harvest handling to ensure quali- and this Apimondia Commission is greater amounts of honey and smal- ty products; keen to give them a voice. ler amounts of beeswax are harvested, • A business approach to a profitable but where bees are still abundant, a system whereby input costs are Nicola Bradbear beekeeper using simple hives easily less than income; President doubles honey and beeswax harvests • Good access to fair markets for Scientific Commission by simply and cheaply increasing the honey and beeswax. on Beekeeping for Rural Development number of hives available for harvest. Making the transformation from What about quality? The honey subsistence to commercial beekee- REFERENCES bees in a frame hive or in a local ping therefore requires many chan- hive will forage upon the same flora ges - although the bee hive itself is Wainwright, D. (2018). Continued export in the same place and make iden- not necessarily one of them, and success for beekeepers of North West tical products. What differs is the on its own will never ensure greater Province of Zambia. Symposium on research means of extraction and sometimes profitability. Thus many projects and development in beekeeping (str. in press). Bees for Development. post-harvest handling. It is true fail because they are not addressing Lowore, J., & Bradbear, N. (2009). Modern that some beekeepers have used the real problems. hives or modern ideas? Bees for Development careless methods of harvesting and Meanwhile research enable us to Journal , 2-5. offer low quality products to the understand more about the honey Svensson, B. (2002). Income from beekeep- market. However closer analysis bee colony as a superorganism and ing: examples of expectation and experience. Bees for Development Journal , 48, shows that the market into which to realise the many factors that con- 10-11. they sell accepts the standard of tribute to the health of the colony, Seeley, T. D. (2019). Bees in the Forest. A their product. A promoter of com- and the health of the wider honey 40-year Quest to Understand Our Most mercial apiculture tends to look to bee population (Seeley, 2019). Important Pollinator. the supermarket as the end target While we continuously stress honey Sharashkin, L. (2017). Natural beekeeping and ideal hives, Tom Seeley interviewed for honey, and correctly observe bee colonies with less diverse and by Leo Sharashkin. Bees for Development that quality demands of supermar- plentiful nutrition, an environment Journal , 124, 3-8. kets are different from those of vil- contaminated by agrochemicals, Ritter, W. (2016). Swarming bees are healthy lage markets. Therefore many other and introduce exotic predators and bees. Bees for Development Journal , 119, changes need to take place for sub- viruses, researchers are also under- 3-7.

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 55

All equipment should be made locally. Here an artisan in Eritrea creates his livelihood by making smokers.

WORLD BEE DAY 57

APICULTURE, THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW

Etienne Bruneau

The beekeeping situation has been biological cycles of our bees and, changing rapidly in recent years. as a result, our apicultural practi- If in the past, one could simply ces. Faced with all this, what can follow its colonies from a distan- we do? We can talk about two ce, today to become a beekeeper schools of thought, one advocates requires proper training and en- to overcome these problems and The hope lies tails much closer monitoring. use treatments, syrups, sophisti- The main elements that mark this cated techniques for strengthe- in the new evolution are the development of ning colonies or to multiply them certain parasites and pathogens. as quickly as possible to compen- generations Varroasis has profoundly chan- sate for losses. We intensify endo- of beekeepers, ged our ways of handling bees, genous interventions and we get but the same is true of the small back into the vicious cycle. the beekeepers of hive beehive or viruses that pose Another school goes back to ba- serious threats to our colonies. sics, so to speak, by observing tomorrow. In addition, the intensiﬁcation of nature and trying to help the bee We must do every- agriculture also has an enormous to strengthen its defence and re- impact, resulting in the loss of silience mechanisms. The obser- thing to help them. biodiversity, which is so impor- vation here is an important key tant for providing quality food to as well as a ﬁne understanding of Otherwise our bees our bees, but also for pesticides bee mechanisms. Training tomor- may become, for which we discover day after row will be more and more im- day adverse effects ranging from portant. like many other mortality to the creation of se- Fortunately, new tools will be rious dysfunctions for our colo- made available to beekeepers. pollinators, less nies. Non-intrusive tracking devices and less present. On the climate side, the distur- are developing rapidly and will bances already greatly modify the become commonplace tomorrow.

Apimondia 58 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

It will no longer be necessary to be addressed that of adulterated where as soon as a technique is open the hives to know their de- or highly degraded products not found, new types of fraud are development and their problems or to mention those transformed or veloped. The costs of laboratory needs. Beekeepers will act accor- diluted to meet the minimum im- analyses for operators in the mar- ding to the different signals sent posed by legislation. Only honey ket are constantly increasing and by the colony to indicate where and wax are defined internatio- are often passed on to the purcha- intervention is needed and what nally. For other products, legisla- se price of products applied by is needed. tion is generally lacking and in beekeepers. These are thus once In terms of products, quality will such cases talking about quality again penalized. become a keyword. Without an becomes even more difficult. It To cope with this, the retail tra- unquestionable quality, the sel- is hoped that the new ISO group de is growing rapidly which re- ling price of a product will be at on hive products will provide sa- presents a huge challenge for the lower level. With the excep- tisfactory answers in this area. countries whose exports account tion of some countries, this situa- Adulteration is a real scourge as it for the bulk of their production. tion no longer allows the beekee- drives the prices of good quality Another strategy is diversification per to survive. To reach this good products down and thus makes but here too, investments are nee- quality standard, guides of good quality investments difficult if ded for training, equipment and practices are developed all around not impossible. In addition, the the implementation of marketing the world to answer the local spe- techniques used to adulterate a channels because products such cific requirements. product such as honey become as pollen or drone larvae are very These good practises are already extremely sophisticated and the- little known to the public. It the- in use in many countries however, refore virtually undetectable. refore requires a collective effort the quality standard is not always The situation is close to that that very few structures can offer. achieved. There is another area to observed for doping in sports Yet with the evolution of our en-

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 59

vironment, we will have to juggle with different productions and varied sale channels. Flexibility, adaptation and intelli- gence that is what lies ahead on tomorrow’s agenda. Under such conditions, enormous efforts will have to be made to help beekeepers and the entire industry to tackle this new challenge. The hope lies in the new generations of beekeepers, the beekeepers of tomorrow. We must do everything to help them. Other- wise our bees may become, like many other pollinators, less and less present.

Etienne Bruneau President Scientiﬁc Commission on Beekeeping Technology and Quality

Apimondia 60 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Apimondia WORLD BEE DAY 61

CURRENT SITUATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL HONEY MARKET

Norberto García

The sustainability of many beekeeping operations around the world is currently challenged by the in- sufﬁcient honey prices to cover the increasing costs of production derived from the growing difﬁculties to produce real honey. During the period 2001-2009, global honey exports Honest beekeepers, no matter increased at an average rate of 7,984 tons/year due to a growing world population and a greater preference for their nationality, who are mainly natural products by consumers. However, something changed after that period and world honey exports focused on the production started to increase at an average rate of 35,604 tons/ of pure honey for exportation, year (Figure 1). Although world population and the preference for na- are succumbing to the export tural products still continued to grow, two additional factors contributed to this enormous increased growth model employed in some of honey exports observed after 2009: i) a steep incre- countries, which in turn ase of exports by some Eastern countries, and ii) the appearance of new honey export countries in Europe is a model that has been (García, 2016).

encouraged by some importers THE INCREASE and packers to achieve OF HONEY EXPORTS BY ASIAN COUNTRIES short-term economic gains and The bad beekeeping practice of harvesting unripe honey, low prices in quite usual in some Asian countries, has meant an unfair competitive advantage by which one part of the transfor- supermarket shelves. mation of nectar into honey is made by bees and ano-

Apimondia 62 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

ther part in “honey factories”. This imitate but will never emulate. pact on prices, and puts at risk the “modern beehive” consists of combs The above described processing sy- sustainability of many beekeeping and bees, but also of steel tubes and stem is not in accordance with the operations around the world. human workers. The nectar is final- Codex Alimentarius, the accepted The enormous and difficult-to-july industrially converted to honey in international standard for foods, stify increase of honey exports from those factories. because intrusion and extraction of several Eastern countries, combi- Biologically speaking, by harve- any substance from honey, as op- ned with the information coming sting immature honey, storing bees posed to the activities of the bees from official surveys and private la- are partly alleviated of their jobs themselves, is not allowed. boratories on the prevalence of ho- and become foraging bees at an ear- The process of semi-industrial honey adulteration, allow to conclude lier age, which allows higher honey ney production is also linked to an that fraud mechanisms may be re- yields with reduced costs. The ho- increasing use of rice syrups, spe- sponsible for the injection of a very ney factories filter, eventually dilu- cially developed to adulterate ho- important volume of cheap “manu- te, eliminate residues, dehumidify, ney because they pass official tests factured” and diluted honeys into and pack the product. used to check honey purity. the market. The resulting sweet product seems The temptation of honey adul- Different types of honey adultera- to be safe, but lacks many of the terators increased in recent years tion can be found (Dübecke et al., positive properties of natural ho- because of the availability of cheap 2018): ney. The production of honey by adulterants that pass the obsolete 1. intentional dilution with cheap bees, which results in a complex official methodologies to detect the syrups (corn, rice, beet, etc.); product that contains around 200 honey fraud. The magnitude and 2. extraction of immature honey different substances, is a very long severity of the current version of and dehumidification by mecha- and laborious process that man can honey adulteration has a great im- nical means;

Apimondia WORLD BEE DAY 63

3. use of Ion Exchange Resins to THE NEW EUROPEAN component of their company’s so- remove residues and lighten ho- EXPORTERS cial responsibility practices. This ney color; During the last years, new honey also happens at the expense of con- 4. masking the geographical and/or export countries appeared in Euro- sumers who often do not receive botanical origin of honey and pe taking advantage of the hetero- the product they pay for. 5. feeding hives during a nectar geneity of honey prices according As long as economically motivated flow. to their geographic origin, which adulteration, customs fraud and may have created an economic in- the violation of international and Elemental Analysis Isotope Ratio centive for some European countri- national trade laws persist, the well- Mass Spectrometry developed some es to import cheap honeys from being and stability of world beeke- twenty five years ago, but still the China and then re-export them as epers, food security and ecological official method of the main import locally produced (García, 2016). sustainability remain in jeopardy. countries, is effective for the de- Honey labeling rules are not homo- While maximising the efforts in tection of honey adulteration with geneous throughout the European combating honey fraud, the world syrups from C4 plants, like corn Union. Efforts are currently made beekeeping community also ur- or sugar cane, but absolutely inef- to encourage all countries to have gently needs to return to a positi- fective for the detection of syrups labelling regulations that require ve and proactive agenda in order made from C3 plants, such as rice the declaration of all geographical to help protect the prestige of this or beet. origins of honeys contained in a jar. ancient food so related to nature Sugar syrups made from rice are In such a way, all European consu- and human health. Advanced mo- normally produced in Asia, but are mers would have the same oppor- dern science must be used to inve- also available in many countries of tunities to know what they choose stigate and substantiate the variety the world that import those syrups, and pay for. of health benefits of honey, thus including some honey exporting As mentioned before, masking the imitating very successful strategies countries. geographical origin of honey is already developed by other food in- Nowadays there are two possible another frequent type of fraud. dustries. testing strategies to detect the addition of C3 sugars to honey: FINAL WORDS Norberto García • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance President Honest beekeepers, no matter their (NMR) and Scientific Commission nationality, who are mainly focused • a combination of targeted me- on Beekeeping Economy on the production of pure honey thods, which only look at a single for exportation, are succumbing or a small number of very speci- to the export model employed in fic parameters, e.g. honey-foreign some countries, which in turn is REFERENCES enzymes, syrup-specific markers, a model that has been encouraged honey-foreign oligosaccharides, by some importers and packers to Dübecke, A., van der Meulen, J., Schütz, artificial food ingredients, and B., Tanner, D., Beckh, G. & Lüllmann, C. achieve short-term economic gains acids indicative for invert sugar. (2018). NMR Profiling a Defense Against and low prices in supermarket shel- The necessity to update the official Honey Adulteration. American Bee Journal ves. This goes against defending 158:83-86. methods used by importing mar- honey’s image as a natural pro- García, N. (2016). A Study of the Causes kets to detect honey adulteration is duct, and against efforts to protect of Falling Honey Prices in the International urgent. Market. American Bee Journal 156: 877-882. honest beekeeping as an essential

Apimondia

WORLD BEE DAY 65

THREATS AND IMPORTANCE OF BEE POLLINATORS IN HUMAN-DOMINATED LANDSCAPES

Fabrice Requier

Indeed, recent studies have shown function, produce honey and other how these anthropogenic pressures beekeeping products, and support cause the decline of wild and mana- human-dependant crops produc- ged pollinators such as bees. tion (Potts et al. 2016). Bees visit more than 90% of the leading global crop types (Figure 1), and CRITICAL ROLE OF BEES More than 35% of improve the yield of approximately IN CROP POLLINATION 75% of them, including most fru- the global land surface SERVICES its, seeds and nuts and several high- Flower-visiting animals provide value commodity crops such as cof- is managed for agri- critical pollination service with fee, cocoa and oilseed rape (Klein et culture production. numerous beneﬁts to humans. For al. 2007). instance, bees, the most important This pollination service is estima- Agriculture is expand- group of pollinators, sustain po- ted at several hundred billion euros pulations of wild plants that un- per year (Gallai et al. 2009), and ing and intensifying in derpin biodiversity and ecosystem an estimated 5-8% of global crop many regions to meet the needs of humans. This trend threatens the biodiversity and ecosystem services on which agriculture depends, such as Figure 1. The critical role of bee pollinators crop pollination. in agricultural production.

Apimondia 66 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Figure 2. Diversity of bees and associated functional traits Figure 3. Varroa destructor, an ectoparasite of honey bee. improve crops pollination. production would be lost without DECLINE OF the loss of floral-food and nesting pollination services (Aizen et al. BEE POLLINATORS, resources. , leading to changes in hu- The agricultural disturbances in 2009) A MULTIPLE FACTOR man diets and a disproportionate the availability of flower resources, expansion of agricultural land to HYPOTHESIS such as the scarcity of flowers and/ fill this shortfall in crop production Given the cryptic decline in bee or the monotonous offer of crop by volume (Potts et al. 2016). populations, a vast research effort flowers, affect the honey bee colo- Due to differences between bee emerged since the 90s to understand ny dynamics and survival (Requier species morphology and functio- the mechanisms underlying the po- et al. 2017). Pesticides, e.g. neoni- nal traits (Figure 2), a higher di- pulation collapse of wild and mana- cotinoids with lethal or sub-lethal versity of pollinators provides ged bees. Large-scale monitoring of effects, as well as pyrethroids and complementary inputs or synergy, bee populations pinpointed the on- fungicides, were also highlighted improving the quantity and quali- going decline in European wild bee to deeply affect the behaviour and ty of pollination. The role of wild populations and in managed honey fitness of honey bees and wild bees bees diversity in crop pollination is bee populations in the United States (Goulson et al. 2015). Additional therefore evident, for which recent and across Europe (Biesmeijer et al. identified critical causes include global studies have showed positive 2006, Potts et al. 2010). diseases, pathogens, and parasites, effects on growth and stability of Not only bee populations and pol- such as the Varroa destructor ecto- crop yields related to the presence lination services decreased, but parasite (Figure 3). Despite highly of wild bees besides the supplement also beekeeping economy. Current intensive research efforts however, of managed pollinators. global trends in honey production no single driver and/or mechanism However, this critical pollination servi- are collapsing, independently on could be identified (Goulson et al. ce provided by bees is currently threa- the stagnation of beehive livestock 2015). tened due to their widespread decline. (Potts et al. 2010). Many factors are Bee decline is now better described Loss of both wild and managed bees involved in the cause of bee decline. as a multifactorial hypothesis (Potts may negatively affect human food Land-use change (i.e., habitat loss, et al. 2010, Goulson et al. 2015), production as many crop types rely, at fragmentation, habitat degradation where three main groups of stres- least to some extent, on animal polli- and decrease of resource diversity sors are said to be involved: “Limi- nation for the quantity and/or quality and abundance) was pointed as a ted and/or monotonous floral re- of their yield (Klein et al. 2007). major cause of the decline of wild sources”, “Pesticides” and “Parasites bees in agricultural, in particular

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 67

and Pathogens” occurring simulta- neously or inﬂuencing each other through synergic effects (Figure 4).

TOWARDS GROWING INTERESTS IN BEE IMPORTANCE AND CONSERVATION The current evidences of a decline of the populations of wild and managed bees worldwide, which may disrupt the reproduction of bee-pollinated wild plants, crop pollination service and honey pro- Figure 4. The multiple factor hypothesis of bee decline, duction (Potts et al., 2010), lead to based on Goulson et al. (2015). concerns for negative social, economic and ecological effects (Potts et Moreover, 77 international experts This study puts in light that con- al., 2016). critically evaluated the available glo- servation efforts require substan- A collective awareness has emerged bal evidence in pollinators’ impor- tial public support, and that any over the last years, where science, tance through the Intergovernmen- programmes aimed at stopping or policymakers, and the public have tal Science-Policy Platform on mitigating bee population declines increased their interests in bee de- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Ser- will need to include outreach and cline issues. For instance, Agri-En- vices (IPBES 2016). In addition education measures. vironment Schemes was successfully to these science and policymakers applied in agricultural habitats to considerations, a recent study pin- Fabrice Requier restore wild pollinator populations points a wide interest of the public Member through an increase in ﬂoral and ne- in bee conservation issues (Wilson Scientiﬁc Commission sting resources (Scheper et al. 2013). et al. 2017). on Pollination and Bee Flora

REFERENCES

Aizen M. A., Garibaldi L. A., Cunningham S. A., Klein A. M. (2009) How much does agriculture depend on pollinators? Lessons from long-term trends in crop production. Annals of Botany 103, 1579-1588 • Gallai N., Salles J. M., Settele J., Vaissière B. E. (2009) Economic valuation of the vulnerability of world agriculture confronted with pollinator decline. Ecological Economics 68, 810-82 •IPBES (2016) The Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production. Available online at http://www.ipbes.net/node/44781 •Klein A. M., Vaissière B. E., Cane J. H., Steffan-Dewenter I., Cunningham S. A., Kremen C., Tscharntke, T. (2007). Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Science 274, 303-313 • Potts S. G., Biesmeijer J. C., Kremen C., Neumann P., Schweiger O., Kunin W. E. (2010) Global pollinator declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 25, 345-53 •Potts S. G., Imperatriz-Fonseca V., Ngo H. T., Aizen M. A., Biesmeijer J. C., Breeze, Vanbergen A. J. (2016) Safeguarding pollinators and their values to human well-being. Nature 540(7632), 220-229 •Requier F., Odoux J. F., Henry M., Bretagnolle V. (2017) The carry‐over effects of pollen shortage decrease the survival of honeybee colonies in farmlands. Journal of Applied Ecology 54, 1161-1170 • Scheper J., Holzschuh A., Kuussaari M., Potts S. G., Rundlöf M., Smith H. G., Kleijn D. (2013) Environmental factors driving the effectiveness of European agri-environmental measures in mitigating pollinator loss - a meta-analysis. Ecology Letters 16(7) •Wilson J.S., Forister M.L., Messinger Carril O. (2017) Interest exceeds understanding in public support of bee conservation. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environnement 15, 460-466.

Apimondia 68 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY Parasitic mites such as the Varroa mite pictured on the thorax of a worker bee are causing beekeepers to use pesticides inside of bee colonies to control the mites.

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 69

CHALLENGES TO HONEY BEES FROM PEST AND DISEASES

Jef Pettis

THE CHALLENGE diseases for example the widespread The status of honey bee health problems of American foulbrood must be viewed in the context of and wax moths. In recent years we the larger issue of pollinator decli- have seen the global spread of new nes worldwide (Potts et al. 2010; pests such as Varroa and Small Hive IPBES 2016). Honey bees are wi- Beetles and older diseases have in despread globally and often serve some cases seen a resurgence re- Honey bees as the major managed pollinator in cently, e.g. European Foulbrood. agriculture. Thus, good bee health In addition to the spread of new are widespread is vital to global food security. The pests and diseases there is wide- globally and often challenges faced by honey bees can spread belief that good bee forage is indeed have impacts on the supply declining with increased intensive serve as the major of fruit, nuts and vegetables vital for agriculture and pesticide exposures human health. Lastly, the threats to (Potts et al. 2016). Speciﬁc recent managed pollinator bee health are numerous and multi- concerns center on agricultural in agriculture. factorial and require sound science- chemicals such as systemics and based information to be available fungicides but we must remember Thus, good bee to the beekeeping community. This that beekeepers themselves are ad- is the charge and challenge that fa- ding to the pesticide issues with health is vital ces the Bee Health commission of miticide use for Varroa control. to global food Apimondia. Beekeepers are faced with many challenges but often if bees have ac- security. CURRENT STATUS cess to good pollen and nectar they Only 30-50 years ago beekeepers can overcome or be less susceptible were faced with just a few pests and to the multitude of challenges that

Apimondia 70 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

Managed honey bee colonies pollinating almond trees Healthy beehives are vital to pollination in California USA: managed pollinators are vital and good brood patterns are an indicator to world food security. of good bee health and disease-free bees. bees currently face. Thus, land use sustainable and non-chemical me- input intensive beekeeping. What is changes and intensive agriculture ans to manage honey bees. the solution? Surely, we need to pro- all tend to reduce forage availability tect and improve natural bee forage, and impact bee health. We need to develop sustainable and non-che- protect existing natural forage areas FUTURE TRENDS mical control options for bee pests and find ways to diversify the agri- AND CHALLENG and diseases. Additionally, we need cultural landscape. The demand for pollination ser- to continue to increase awareness of vices is growing in the developing the value of pollinators to food secu- One issue that has come more world greater than the projected rity. Lastly, we need to continue to to the forefront in recent years is availability of honey bees for polli- develop sustainable methods for ho- the debate between treatment- nation (Gallai et al. 2009). As such ney bee management and practical free beekeeping and those beeke- it is projected that more bees will means to support beekeeping and epers who treat with miticides to be needed in the future and this co- beekeepers worldwide. control mites and antibiotics for mes at a time when the challenges Jeff Pettis bacterial diseases and or Nosema to bee health are increasing. Addi- President control. A part of this debate even tionally, there is the debate between Scientific Commission involves the feeding of sugar and treatment-free beekeeping and more on Bee Health or artificial protein to honey bee colonies; some are totally opposed REFERENCES to interventions in bee hives while others feel they cannot keep bees Gallai N., Salles J. M., Settele J., Vaissière B. E. (2009) Economic valuation of the vulnerability of world agriculture confronted with pollinator decline. Ecological Economics 68, 810-82. alive without these outside inputs. IPBES (2016) The Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Bees can and do survive without Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production. Available human intervention, even in the online at http://www.ipbes.net/node/44781 face of Varroa mites, but on a Klein A. M., Vaissière B. E., Cane J. H., Steffan-Dewenter I., Cunningham S. A., Kremen C., commercial scale for pollination Tscharntke, T. (2007). Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Science 274, 303-313. and large-scale honey production Potts S. G., Biesmeijer J. C., Kremen C., Neumann P., Schweiger O., Kunin W. E. (2010) Global most beekeepers use various in- pollinator declines: trends, impacts and drivers. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 25, 345–53. puts into their hives throughout Potts S. G., Imperatriz-Fonseca V., Ngo H. T., Aizen M. A., Biesmeijer J. C., Breeze, Vanbergen the year. A challenge in managing A. J. (2016) Safeguarding pollinators and their values to human well-being. Nature 540(7632), bee pests and diseases is in finding 220-229.

Apimondia

72 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

GOOD BEEKEEPING PRACTICES (GBPs) AND DISEASE PREVENTION

Jorge Rivera-Gomis et al.

INTRODUCTION me under Grant Agreement n° Nowadays, beekeeping faces nu- 696231, ERA-Net SusAn, aims to merous challenges, and numerous develop a system of sustainable api- disorders that affect honey bee co- culture by implementing innova- lonies (Vanengelsdorp & Meixner, tive management practices (Good 2010). An important menace to Beekeeping Practices - GBPs). the development of the beekeeping The project consortium, coordina- sector, and thus bee product safety, ted by the Istituto Zooproﬁlattico Improving is the potential introduction and Sperimentale del Lazio e della To- spread of bee diseases, also affecting scana “M. Aleandri” (Italy), inclu- beekeeping the trade of honeybee products and des: University of Namik Kemal management, living honeybees. As an example, (Turkey), Agricultural Institute the presence of the honey bee pest of Slovenia (Slovenia), Centro de honeybee health Aethina tumida (small hive beetle, Investigación Apícola y Agroam- SHB) was recently detected in Sou- biental de Marchamalo (Spain), and bee product thern Italy, leading to the subse- Austrian Agency for Health and quality will improve quent reactions in Europe (Euro- Food Safety (Austria), Mississippi pean Commission, 2014). Other State University (USA) and Isti- too, increasing the factors to consider are also pestici- tuto Zooproﬁlattico Sperimentale des, climatic changes and high he- delle Venezie (Italy). Moreover, the competitiveness terogeneity of the beekeeping indu- project involves: the International and resilience stry (Woodcock et al., 2017; Goulson Federation of Beekeepers’ Associa- et al., 2018; Chauzat et al., 2013). tion (Apimondia), the European of the apicultural Professional Beekeepers’ Associa- In this context, the “BPRACTI- tion (EPBA), the University of Ge- sector at all levels. CES” project, funded from the nova (Italy), European Union Re- European Union’s Horizon 2020 ference Laboratory for Bee Health research and innovation program- (ANSES, France) and the Food and

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 73

Agriculture Organization of the production standards at all levels. CLASSIFICATION OF United Nations (FAO). An essential part of the Good GOOD BEEKEEPING Beekeeping Practices are the pre- PRACTICES DEFINITION OF GOOD clinical indicators, which allow to Starting from the OIE-FAO gui- BEEKEEPING PRACTICES diagnose an infection or infestation delines “Guide to Good Farming GOOD BEEKEEPING PRACTICES (GBPS) before symptoms appear, represen- Practices for Animal Production are defined as those integrated and ting an essential tool for mitigation Food Safety” (OIE & FAO, 2009), sustainable activities which beekee- of the disease and prevention of the we classified GBPs according to the pers apply for the hive management clinical symptoms. following main headings: “general to obtain an optimal health for ho- Implementation of prevention apiary management”, “veterinary neybees, positive socioeconomic practices leads to improvement medicines”, “disease management in impacts (e.g. beekeepers and consu- of honeybee health and conse- general”, “hygiene”, “animal feeding mers health protection) and to en- quently increases the performan- and watering” and “GBPs specific sure environmental protection. ce of honey bee colonies, the to main honeybee diseases. For each The application of the GBPs re- profitability of the beekeeping category we created a list of GBPs sults in a positive effect on the operation and the pollination which were then evaluated and gi- wellbeing of honeybee colonies, service provided by honeybees ven a score by the scientists involved food safety and environmental and also reduces the amount of in the “BPRACTICES” project. protection, thus guaranteeing high residues in honeybee products. (1) The GENERAL APIARY MANAGEMENT section proposes practices concerning movement of the colonies, positioning of the apiary, zootechnical measurements, winter preparations and general guidelines to maintain honeybee health. (3) GBPs concerning the use of VETERINARY MEDICINES should be respected to ensure the efficacy of treatments, honeybee health and product safety. (2) The section concerning the DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN GENE- RAL includes the practices concerning inspections of colonies for clinical signs of diseases,

Apimondia 74 TESTATINAWORLD BEE DAY

prevention, sampling in case Philip McCabe6, 5Mississippi State University, of sick or dead bees, measures Rudolf Moosbeckhofer9, Center for Costal Horticulture which should be adopted in Dilek Muz4, Research, PO box 193, case of dead colonies. Mustafa Necati Muz4, 39470 Poplarville, MS, USA 4 6 (4) The HYGIENE section is about Nurullah Ozdemir , International Federation different methods of disinfec- Marco Pietropaoli1, of Beekeepers’ Associations, tion and disease spread control. Licia Ravarotto10, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 101, 9 (5) ANIMAL FEEDING AND WATERING Alexandra Ribarits , I-00186 Roma, Italy 2 7 GBPS are related to guarantee Marie-Pierre Riviere , Centro de Investigacion Apicola safety and hygiene of feeding Maja Ivana Smodis Skerl11, y Agroambiental de Marchamalo, and watering. It is also very im- Asger Søgaard Jørgensen6, C/Camino San Matin s/n, 19180 portant to have sufficient feed Giovanni Formato1 Marchamalo, Spain supplies all year round. 1Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale 8Tecnologies and practices for small delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana, agricultural producers (TECA) CONCLUSIONS Via Appia Nuova 1411, 00178 platform of the Food Resilience of the beekeeping sector, Roma, Italy and Agriculture Organization 2 sustainability and the income of ANSES, Honeybee pathology unit, of the United Nations (FAO), beekeepers increase when sanitary European Union Reference Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, problems are prevented and costs Laboratory for bee health, 00153 Rome, Italy 9 (e.g. for treatments, colony losses, 105 route des Chappes, CS 20111, Austrian Agency for Health and or caused by production decrease) 06902 Sophia Antipolis, France Food Safety, Spargelfeldstrasse 191, 3 are reduced. The on-farm practices University of Genova, Biophysic 1220 Vienna, Austria 10 firstly defined and identified in the Section of Department of Surgery Istituto Zooprofilattico “BPRACTICES” project provide Sciences and Integrated Diagnostics Sperimentale delle Venezie, a direct benefit to beekeepers. Im- (DISC), Corso Europa 30, 16132 Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 proving beekeeping management, Genova, Italy Legnaro (Padova), Italy 4 11 honeybee health and bee product University of Namik Kemal, Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, quality will improve too, increa- Kampus Street, 59030 Tekirdag, Hacquetova ulica 17, sing the competitiveness and resi- Turkey 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia lience of the apicultural sector at all levels. REFERENCES Jorge Rivera-Gomis1, Jernej Bubnic1, Chauzat, M. P., Cauquil, L., Roy, L., Franco, S., Hendrikx, P., & Ribière-Chabert, M. (2013). 1 Demographics of the European apicultural industry. PloS one, 8(11), e79018. Antonella Cersini , Goulson, D., Nicholls, E., Botías, C., & Rotheray, E. L. (2015). Bee declines driven by combined 2 Magali Chabert , stress from parasites, pesticides, and lack of flowers. Science, 347(6229), 1255957. Marie-Pierre Chauzat2, FAO, OIE (2009) Guide to good farming practices for animal production food safety. ISBN Roberto Eggenhoeffner3, 978-92-5-006145-0 Serkan Erat4, Ales Gregorc5, Van Engelsdorp D, Meixner MD (2010) A historical review of managed honey bee populations 6 in Europe and the United States and the factors that may affect them. J Invertebr Pathol 103 Suppl Walter Haefeker , 1S80–S95 7 Mariano Higes , Woodcock, B. A., Bullock, J. M., Shore, R. F., Heard, M. S., Pereira, M. G., Redhead, J., ... & Riccardo Jannoni-Sebastianini6, Peyton, J. (2017). Country-specific effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on honey bees and wild Charlotte Lietaer8, bees. Science, 356(6345), 1393-1395.

Apimondia WORLDTESTATINA BEE DAY 75

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the entire Executive Council of Apimondia for pulling together the scientiﬁc contributions of this publication. Their time and effort spent in collaborating in building up the articulated content for the delivery of this product was much appreciated.

Asger Jørgensen, former President of Apimondia, assisted us in co-ordinating the submission and review of the articles received.

Credit also goes to Raffaele Cirone, President of the Italian Beekeepers’ Federation and Filippo Jannoni-Sebastianini of Apimondia for collating and preparing the content of this publication for printing with a tight deadline.

Our gratitude goes to FIITEA for sharing the printing expenses of this publication.

Apimondia Apimondia Working for the beneﬁt of bees and apiculture

Pubblicazione celebrativa della Giornata Mondiale dell’Ape 2018 Realizzata per conto di APIMONDIA Federazione Internazionale delle Associazioni di Apicoltura Autori Vari

Coordinamento editoriale: Raffaele Cirone Progetto graﬁco e impaginazione: Alberto Nardi Foto di copertina: Operaia di Apis mellifera L. su ﬁore di girasole

© FAI Apicoltura Srl Edizioni - Maggio 2018 Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 101 IT - 00186 ROMA (Italy) Tel.: +39 06 6852556 - Fax: +39 06 6852287 Posta elettronica: [email protected] Sito internet: www.fai.bio

Finito di stampare nel mese di Maggio 2018 presso: Tipograﬁa EuroInterstampa S.r.l. – Roma - Italy

L’Editore declina ogni responsabilità in ordine alle opinioni espresse e ai contenuti che restano a esclusivo carico dei singoli Autori. Il presente volume non è in vendita e viene distribuito gratuitamente dal Segretariato Generale di Apimondia e ﬁno ad esaurimento della tiratura di n. 1000 copie.

ISBN: 978-88-941041-6-5