In Issue 19

INSIDE INFORMATION

Welcome to Beekeeping and Development 19. This edition presents you with plenty of information to obtain a harvest of pure, clear honey from frameless hives. Marieke Mutsaers describes how to obtain honey from top-bar hives, without damaging the combs which may then be returned to the bees. This ‘recycling’ of honeycomb, one of the major advantages of frame-hive beekeeping, is thus made available to low-technology, top-bar beekeeping. Rainer Krell describes how extractors can be modified to deal efficiently with broken combs harvested from top-bar or traditional hives.

Also in this edition we zoom in to Mexico, have an update of GTZ-backed projects, hear news of beekeeping near rubber plantations in Sri Lanka, as well as all the other regular features.

From the encouraging comments we have received it seems that readers like the Journal's new title and layout: but we haven't finished yet! More changes are on the way...

Our aim remains the same: to assist our beekeeping colleagues around the world in sustainable beekeeping.

Join the network by sharing your news and views. We also invite you to send pictures either for our cover or to illustrate beekeeping techniques.

Friends are welcome! Write to us at the address below.

Production

Beekeeping and Development is edited by Nicola Bradbear with assistance from Helen Jackson.

Four editions are published each year. 4000 copies of each edition are printed and distributed to beekeepers, projects and associations in 174 countries worldwide.

Beekeeping and Development was previously published under the title Newsletter for beekeepers in tropical and subtropical countries.

Reproduction

Items appearing in. Beekeeping and Development may be reproduced providing that appropriate full acknowledgement is given and copies are forwarded to the Editor.

Translations

We appreciate receiving any translations of Beekeeping and Development, information leaflets, and charts that you have prepared. We are regularly requested to supply information in languages other than English, and rely on the kind support of our readers around the world to help with this.

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Subscriptions

The current subscription is. £10 or US$20 per year including postage. Subscriptions commence on the date they are received by IBRA. See page 12 for methods of payment, and below for details of BEESWAX BARTER. Back issues are available at £2 or US$4 per copy.

Groups or individuals who are unable to pay may request a sponsored subscription: please write to Nicola Bradbear.

Sponsors

Beekeeping and Development is produced on a not-for-profit basis as part of the International Bee Research Association's information service to developing countries.

At the time of going to press we have received generous support from the following sponsors: CTA, FAO, Oxfam, Traidcraft Exchange, The Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers and a number of individual donors. This support is acknowledged most gratefully.

IBRA

The International Bee Research Association is a scientific, charitable trust providing the world’s most comprehensive information service on all aspects of bees and beekeeping.

BEESWAX BARTER

The Beeswax Barter system provides an alternative way for readers to pay their subscription for Beekeeping and Development.

Congratulations to M S Khodabaks of Surinam whose block of clean beeswax, weighing exactly 5 kg, was the first to arrive at IBRA headquarters!

Some beekeepers have commented that 5 kg of beeswax is worth more to them locally than the cost of the subscription. My suggestion to them is to pay in currency, and increase beeswax production!

These are the conditions for Beeswax Barter:

1. Beeswax must be reasonably clean and of good quality.

2. Beeswax must be presented in solid form (ie not as scraps of wax or pieces of comb).

3. Beeswax from Apis mellifera is preferred. However beeswax from Asian species of Apis will be accepted as long as the species from which it is collected is clearly marked on the parcel.

4. On the inside of the parcel state your name and postal address, the weight and origin of the beeswax you are sending, and the number of subscriptions you are paying. Mark on the outside of the parcel “BEESWAX RAW FOR IBRA" and the WEIGHT of beeswax in kilograms.

5. Any parcel containing comb, adulterated or very dirty wax or otherwise unusable wax will be destroyed on arrival at IBRA. It will not be returned to the sender, and will not be accepted for barter, neither will future beeswax received from the sender.

6. This beeswax barter system will operate for an initial period of 12 months. It will be extended only if successful and subscribers abide by these conditions.

7. Payment in beeswax is only available for subscriptions to developing countries and cannot be used for any other journal subscription or purchase from IBRA.

8. Arrangements for and costs of carriage of the beeswax to IBRA are the responsibility of the sender and IBRA will not be responsible for any postage or other costs whatsoever. Proof of postage is not accepted as proof of receipt. Ensure packaging used is adequate to endure the effects of travel.

One subscription to any destination £10.00 / US$ 20.00 / Beeswax 5kg

Ten subscriptions to one postal address in a developing country £50.00 / US$ 100 / Beeswax 25 kg

Back issues per copy ££2.00 / US$ 4.00 / Beeswax 1 kg

* Please see the latest journal issue for up-to-date subscription details