Fifth International Conference on Agriculture in Tropical Climates

7-12 SEPTEMBER 1992 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

The Conference will be held on the campus of the University of the West Indies, Port of Spain, Trinidad

TRINIDAD EXCURSIONS

During the Conference we will visit beekeepers in Trinidad on Tuesday September and Friday 11September.

TOBAGO TRINIDAD

On Wednesday 9 September the Conference focus moves to Tobago. Beekeepers in Tobago are planning a day full of activity with visits to Government and private apiaries and other sites of interest. International Delegates booking flights to Trinidad on British West Indian Airlines (BWIA) or on any international airline should at the same time book also return flight to Tobago on 9 September, specifying the IBRA Conference trip to Tobago on this date. The cost of this return ticket to Tobago is your own responsibility and is not covered by the Conference registration fee. For those booked with BWIA, the cost will be inclusive with your ticket to Trinidad. Those booked with other international airlines will have to pay an additional fee (approximately 35SUS return).

WORKSHOPS

Workshops (informal discussion sessions} are planned on Africanized bees, stingless bees and top-bar hives. There is still time for you to organise workshop on any relevant topic. Find out how in the 2nd Announcement.

PRESENTATIONS

There will be both oral and poster presentations, with time for discussion with authors.

TOP-BAR HIVE DESIGNS

We plan to hold workshop on top-bar hive design. if you use this type of hive then please bring unused examples of your equipment with you: even one top-bar will do. Beekeepers are always interested to see other people’s methods of trying to make bees do what we would like them to do!

POST-CONFERENCE TOURS

Three tours are planned:

Sunday 13 September: Stingless bees

Monday 14 September: Beekeepers in St Andrew and St David County

Tuesday 15 September: Beekeepers in St George County

SOCIAL EVENTS

Our hosts in Trinidad and Tobago are planning very warm Caribbean welcome!

ORGANISATIONS

IBRA is responsible for the scientific content of the Conference. The Trinidad and Tobago Organising Committee are responsible for hosting the Conference and plans are in hand for a very successful event.

Registration (International Delegates) and Conference programme contact: The Conference Secretariat, IBRA, Cardiff.

CARICOM registration, trade stands, displays, exhibitions, contact: The Conference Secretariat, Ministry of Food Production and Marine Exploitation, Trinidad.

Accommodation in Trinidad contact: Trinidad Tobago Hospitality Services Ltd, Trinidad.

BEES

In Trinidad many Africanized swarms are still flying into the southern areas of the Island from Guyana and Venezuela. In the 10 years (1979-1989) 36 630 swarms were collected and destroyed.

There do not appear to be any Africanized bees in Tobago but some swarms may have been conveyed by ships. It may be that indigenous bees so far outnumber Africanized colonies that the latter have not been able to establish themselves. The Apiaries Unit (Trinidad) has destroyed a few colonies on ships bound for Tobago.

There is no doubt that these two islands are greatly favoured with good honey crops, excellent climatic conditions and extensive, and varied forage sources. In addition, they are remarkably clear of pests and diseases of honey vees and the beekeepers have learnt to love with Africanised bees.

DONT MISS IT

These Conferences are held every four years only. If you miss this one, you will have to wait until 1996 for the next!