8th Caribbean Beekeeping Congress, Tobago September 2016

The eighth Caribbean Congress was the most successful to date, with 140 delegates from 14 Caribbean nations. They met for five days in Tobago in September, and found plenty to discuss.

Gladstone Solomon is a Tobago beekeeper who twenty years ago, attended an Apimondia Congress in Switzerland. So impressed was he by the learning experience, that it motivated him to initiate this series of Congresses. They provide the only regional bee meeting for Caribbean beekeepers, and there is clearly a need for this type of event. The Congress was hosted by ACBO, the Association of Caribbean Beekeepers Organisations, together with the Tobago House of Assembly, and made possible with support from a range of donors – their names are shown in the Congress banner (below).

Gladstone Solomon, President of the Association of Caribbean Beekeepers Organisations (ACBO)

Trinidad & Tobago’s Minister for Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, the Honourable Clarence Rambharat addressed the Congress concerning support for the apiculture sector, and in particular honey trade – currently the nation does not permit honey importation.

Professor David de Jong from University of São Paulo lectured on new health risks for honey bees in the Americas, and the effect of nutrition on honey bee health

Nicola Bradbear’s participation was sponsored by Vita (Europe) Ltd.

Photos: Bees for Development

Janet Fraser from Guyana – a keen supporter of Bees for Development

Clive de Bruyn discusses a beekeeping topic with Mr Richard Matthias from Mille Fleurs Honey Producers Cooperative, St Lucia.

John Gates has tested the Flow Hive (below) in Canada, and described his favourable experience.

Flow Hive

Congress delegates had plenty of opportunity to discuss hot topics surrounding honey trade and standards.