preparations containing propolis were exhibited. Equipment manufacturers and traders were represented by a total of 47 stands and displays from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Hungary, Italy, Mozambique, Switzerland, USA and West Germany. During most of the Apimondia Congtess, plenary sessions ran concurtently, with additional slide and film shows, and some 97 poster displays. Naturally, beekeeping with Africanized bees formed a predominant theme of the Congress, with many papers devoted to this subject. Aggressiveness of Africanized bees is sometimes still a problem, but on the whole Brazilian beekeepers are happy with their bees, from which they harvest honey, propolis, pollen, wax or royal jelly. In managing Africanized bees smoke is always required and protective clothing must always be worn. Selection and breeding programmes have been underway for many years now, making productive and manageable bees available. Varroa disease is not considered a major problem in tropical areas, but is more serious in southern Brazil where the climate is temperate. Varroa is also less problematical in Africanized bees than in Africanized/Italian hybrids. With annual inflation running at over 1000%, the organisation of such a large Congress is made especially difficult. However Brazilian apiculturalists offered a warm welcome to the Congress delegates, and the organisers deserve congratulations for the smooth-running of the Congress.
A display of propolis from various sources. The glass jar contains propolis in alcohol solution.
GOLD MEDALS! am delighted to report that the Newsletter for beekeepers in tropical and subtropical countries won a Gold Medal at the Apimondia Congress. In addition the Information Charts* were also awarded a Gold Medal!
Grateful thanks to the Apimondia Selection Committee for these kind honours.
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A SUCCESS STORY FROM TANZANIA
*
The ‘“Gold-winning!"’ Information Charts are still available, free of charge, to institutes in developing countries. See Newsletters 9, 11, 12 or 14 for further details.
7y Catherine Howe, Traidcraft Exchange
The Tabora Beekeepers’ Co-operative Society in central Tanzania has over 5000 members, for whom selling honey and wax is one of few — both families and the community at large through extra cash. Young sources of cash income. Indirectly a lot more people benefit the in their to prospects of earning a living. All this depends upon the Co-operative being able to villages by people are encouraged stay
maintain and expand in markets.
and particularly assists small communityin Traidcraft Exchange is a British Charity which understands the value of trade development, based businesses in developing countries. A few years ago Traidcraft was alerted to the fact that the labora Co-operative was unable to Herklots from Traidcraft visited Tabora and found that technical and export honey because of lack of suitable containers. Jeremy well as attempts at export. One problem was the requirement by the as local marketing, financial problems were severely affecting Tanzania Bureau of Standards for tamper-proof seals on honey jars. Eventually a supply of special seals was arranged and the Colocal sales of honey. operative was able to use its stock of 90 000 glass jars, considerably boosting drums. was the On the export front Traidcraft Exchange established with UK honey importers that getting lacquer-coated difficulty beeswax itself could be used as a lining, and supplies of beeswax are no problem at Tabora! Another aspect of the container problem was worth of plastic collecting buckets. One firm in Tanzania could make them, but lacked the raw materials. They the need for 6000 who could pay cash in advance, which the Co-operative could not afford. customers would only supply be available for a bigger Traidcraft Exchange could not afford it either, and began looking for grants. It became clear that money might the future. A visit to the Co-operative in 1988 established the a more secure on would the which for footing Co-operative put project need or repairs to lorries, improvements at the factory, further basic equipment for the beekeepers and staff training. weeks A Traidcraft Exchange is now co-ordinating a project with a budget of 59 242 over two years. mechanic has just spent six Catholic Fund for Overseas CAFOD has been (the to the by local provided Money fleet. lorry Co-operatives refurbish staff helping the management costs. Nearly 60 000 Development), ODA and other charitable trusts, and Traidcraft Exchange is paying some of sounds like a lot, but when you realise that, including family members, an estimated 40 000 people stand to benefit, it is very good
dalue! was placed in Traidcraft ple is the marketing side of the Charity, whose support has also been vital. An order for six tonnes of honey — usual commercial November 1988 and a 50% advance payment made practise is to pay after honey arrives and the quality is checked. Traidcraft is delighted that the honey is finally in the UK warehouse and the quality is good.
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