Tweet
<span style="font-weight: bold">News Source: OTGNR - </span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">* Breaking News * Confirmed : # Bee ... bees (RJR)...</span>
The Ministry of Agriculture and bee farmers have reached an agreement on the way forward regarding the importation of bees.This follows a meeting with Permanent Secretary Donovan Stanberry, representatives of the Jamaica Federation of Commercial Apiculturalists and the All Island Bee Farmers' Association on Wednesday.The meeting was called in light of concerns expressed by stakeholders about the importation of queen bees from Hungary to improve the genetic base of local bees.Earlier this week, bee farmers said the importation could have an adverse impact on the industry and called for the revocation of the permit to import the bees.On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton put a hold on the permit until a risk assessment is completed.During Wednesday's meeting, Mr. Stanberry explained that the current legislative framework governing the granting of such permits involve a number of agencies.He revealed that the last such permit was granted in 1968.As a result of this the Ministry's Research and Development Division, the Veterinary Services Division, and the National Environment and Planning Agency, will shortly formulate an interim protocol pending the rationalisation of the legislative framework.Central to this protocol will be the carrying out of the risk assessment to ensure the safety of bees imported.Mr. Stanberry further outlined plans by the Ministry to seek funding to support a baseline survey of the industry.The findings will be used to determine interventions necessary to strengthen the industry.Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry says a decision on the granting of the permit for the importation of Hungarian bees will be made after the risk assessment is completed.The bee industry employs just over 1,200 people and contributes about $800 million to the economy.
<span style="font-weight: bold">* Breaking News * Confirmed : # Bee ... bees (RJR)...</span>
The Ministry of Agriculture and bee farmers have reached an agreement on the way forward regarding the importation of bees.This follows a meeting with Permanent Secretary Donovan Stanberry, representatives of the Jamaica Federation of Commercial Apiculturalists and the All Island Bee Farmers' Association on Wednesday.The meeting was called in light of concerns expressed by stakeholders about the importation of queen bees from Hungary to improve the genetic base of local bees.Earlier this week, bee farmers said the importation could have an adverse impact on the industry and called for the revocation of the permit to import the bees.On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton put a hold on the permit until a risk assessment is completed.During Wednesday's meeting, Mr. Stanberry explained that the current legislative framework governing the granting of such permits involve a number of agencies.He revealed that the last such permit was granted in 1968.As a result of this the Ministry's Research and Development Division, the Veterinary Services Division, and the National Environment and Planning Agency, will shortly formulate an interim protocol pending the rationalisation of the legislative framework.Central to this protocol will be the carrying out of the risk assessment to ensure the safety of bees imported.Mr. Stanberry further outlined plans by the Ministry to seek funding to support a baseline survey of the industry.The findings will be used to determine interventions necessary to strengthen the industry.Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry says a decision on the granting of the permit for the importation of Hungarian bees will be made after the risk assessment is completed.The bee industry employs just over 1,200 people and contributes about $800 million to the economy.