Trees and bees, the debate continues

The last edition of Newsletter which focused on the connection between beekeeping and conservation, and the need for promoting sustainable beekeeping practises, aroused considerable debate. To continue the theme in this edition, Bernhard Clauss (page 3) discusses whether beekeepers can have a strong voice in forest conservation. They will be listened to only when they are seen to be contributing economically to the local society. This emphasises the need for working systems of marketing honey and beeswax. Examples of this are given in Catherine Howe’s description (overleaf) of appropriate support leading to successful marketing by Tabora Beekeepers Co-operative Society, and Heather Latham’s description of beekeeping as a means of improving living conditions in villages of Bas-Zaire (page 9).

A number ofreaders questioned why recent editions of the Newsletter have not been printed on recycled paper. The answer was cost. The extra cost of printing on recycled paper could only have been met by reducing circulation of the Newsletter.

However, recent increased demand for recycled paper in the UK has meant that our printers have now been able to obtain suitable paper at a reasonable cost. For your interest, the Newsletter is currently sent, free of charge, to over 3000 beekeeping projects, institutes, groups and individual beekeepers in 145 different developing countries.

Need a new smoker? Find out how to make your own on page 6!