Bees for Development Journal 65
2002 BEEKEEPING CARIBBEANare sahdica, CONGRESS ap US don
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AL Island Bee Farmers’ The Congress was organised by Jamaica's§ Ministry of Agri culture and the Tannenit Dy Association, with support from the EU-funded Eastern :a%.
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Jamaica has about 1750 beekeepers harvesting annually around 750 tonnes of honey. Marketing of that honey is soon going to be improved, as the Ministry of Agriculture took the opportunity of the Congress to announce plans for a $14 million (US$ 350,000) honey bottling plant, including also queen rearing apiaries and training programmes. Another important announcement was the Ministry's plans to update Jamaica’s beekeeping
legislation. The Congress was a friendly event that enabled beekeepers to meet, exchange views and update their knowledge. Unfortunately tropical
storm Isadore hit Jamaica the same week as the Congress, and fallen trees and landslides affected the scheduled field trips. A significant outcome from
the Congress was the decision to create a new Association of Caribbean
Beekeepers’ Organisations.
CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS 1. The Association of Caribbean Beekeepers’ Organisations ret juest the Government of Guyana to host the Fourth Caribbean Bi »ekeeping Congress in Guyana in 2004, and that the Government inf rms the
Association, within three months of receiving the letter of of its willingness to host the said Congress.
2.
i
vitation,
‘ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN BEEKEEPERS’ ORGANISATIONS GOAL To ensure the sustainability of the Caribbean beekeeping sector while developing its competitiveness.
OBJECTIVES
the event that the Government of Guyana is unable to h yst the Fourth Caribbean Beekeeping Congress, the Government of Trinidad In
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To facilitate discussion, sharing and the exchange of experiences amongst members with a view to addressing the challenges and opportunities confronting the sector.
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To develop and/or contribute to the development of strategies, programmes and projects that enhance the growth and development of the sector.
Auckland Jarvis (Antigua); Randolph Furbert (Bermuda); B arenice Freeman (British Virgin Islands); Howard Bhola (Grenada); Linden Stewart (Guyana); Cecil Willis (Jamaica); Vincent Weeks ( levis); and
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To provide advocacy services in the establishment and implementation of national and regional policies that affect the development of the sector and its stakeholders.
Gladstone Solomon - Chairman (Trinidad and Tobago). And that the activities of the Association be guided by the approved doc! ument outlining the Associations goal, objectives, structure and w ork
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To develop linkages with other institutions and other networks as necessary to support the work of the Association and its members.
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To promote the development of income-generation for greater self-sufficiency.
and Tobago be requested to host the said Congress in 200:
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3. The Association of Caribbean Beekeepers’ Organisations for med at the Third Caribbean Beekeeping Congress on Wednesda h 18 September 2002, be managed by a Steering Committe 2 comprising:
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programme.
STRUCTURE
4. Respective stakeholders implement the Resolutions of the “irst and Second Caribbean Beekeeping Congress that have not yet een
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addressed.
The Association will be a regional grouping within Apimondia’s Standing Commission on Beekeeping for Rural Development (Apimondia is the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations). An Executive Committee elected from represegbabs organisations and groups will manage the Asgiociation. Members of the Executive Committee will serve for a two-year period subject to re-election.
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Officers of the Association will include a Presi dent, Vice President and General Secretary and other officers as decidid by the general membership.
MEETINGS *
General Meetings and election of officers to t ie Executive Committee will be held at every Caribbean Beekeeping Cong! ess.
The Executive Committee will meet as deemed necessary by that Committee. ;
iSTEERING COMMITTEE WORK PROGRA ‘ME (2002-2004) i
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Draft constitution (to be ratified at 2004 congress)
Establish
a
Caribbean Beekeeping Develogoment Centre
Stage Regional Workshops on the follow! ig areas: i. Identification of pests and diseases ii. Sustainable beekeeping iii. Value added hive products i* Commission research papers on the follo ving areas: i, Certification of honey ii. Pests and diseases iii Socio-economic value of beekeeping in the Caribbean *
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Gladstone Solomon, BfD’s Corresponde nt in the Caribbean
A Bees for Development publication
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