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B-MAIL
A monthly newsletter on issues and events in the bee world, provided by
IBRA, the world information service for bee science and beekeeping.
From Andrew Matheson, Director
**September 1995**
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BEEKEEPER MEETS BEEKEEPER
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And four thousand of us did, so I'm told, at the international apicultural
congress held in Lausanne last month. I really appreciated the chance to
talk with new and old friends from all around the world, and to hear
something of developments in this bee world of ours.
It was particularly pleasing to hear the feedback about this digital digest, the
virtual newsletter that is B.mail. Many of you told me how interesting and
useful this bulletin is. We'll do our best to keep the quality improving all
the
time.
But there is another side to the story (of course!). Don't forget that B.mail
has to be paid for; and while we don't charge you anything it is our members
and subscribers who pick up the tab in the end. Heartfelt thanks to them,
and if you like B.mail maybe you'd care to support all of our charitable
activities by becoming a member.
Want more details? E.mail me or visit our web site; addresses at the end of
this issue.
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IBRA STRIKES GOLD AGAIN
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The international congress was the 34th in the series, and was organized
by Swiss beekeeper associations on behalf of the international federation of
beekeepers' associations (commonly known as Apimondia). And one of the
practices at such meetings is to have competitions, recognising quality in
beekeeping publications and equipment.
IBRA's two entries both won medals in the category for instructional
material. 'A colour guide to the pollen loads of the honey bee' by William
Kirk took the only gold medal for this type of entry. We've been pleased with
this book ever since it was published last year (and before that too!), and
high sales have proved its popularity with beekeepers everywhere.
This exciting and practical manual contains over 500 colour samples, and
describes (in English, French and German) the pollens of 268 species.
While these are all European species, many are common in other parts of
the world.
It builds on Dorothy Hodges' classic work, but goes far beyond it in the
number of species covered and the accuracy achieved with modern printing
processes.
The other medal was the bronze, awarded to 'New perspectives on varroa'
which I edited. The chapters in this book (also published last year), give a
wide-ranging look at varroa in Europe. Four review papers look at important
issues, while 25 papers in five sections review current research on this
parasite. Many techniques and issues thought elsewhere to be new are
more well known in Europe, and are described in this book.
Both titles are, of course, available from IBRA.
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WHAT DO I MEAN AGAIN?
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Two years ago at the 33rd congress, in Beijing, IBRA took the only gold
medal for journals with our entry the Journal of Apicultural Research.
This journal had been radically revamped and improved, and we are still
continuing to provide a quality service for researchers. This journal is an
excellent window into current bee science.
Read the story of the journal's rebirth on our web pages, where you can
also get guidelines for authors and a reference style sheet.
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OH YES, THE WEB
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Well I keep talking about the web, and that's because we recently launched
stage two of our world wide web site.
The site is now several times larger than before. We have a list of all the
journals currently going into our library (which is most of the ones in the
world), as well as notes about how to search our library and order reprints.
There's links to other sites that our readers might find interesting (who's
offering to make us a flagon of mead?). You can find out the details of all
our journals, learn about new books available, and even register for our next
conference.
Come and visit us, at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/ibra/index.html. There's at
least two more stages to go, so watch out for further developments.
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LAST CALL FOR BUMBLES
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Don't forget IBRA's next symposium, 'Bumble bees for pleasure and profit'.
This will be a fun and informative day, so whether you can bring along a
tomato grower, a school teacher or someone who wants to have a bumble
bee colony at home, be sure to be in London on 23 September.
There probably will be some tickets available at the door (though obviously I
can't guarantee it); be at the Linnean Society rooms in Burlington House,
Piccadilly, between 0945 and 1015. If you want lunch you'll have to register
with us by 8 September.
We have interesting speakers from Norway, the Netherlands and the UK ...
see you there!
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AND OUR MOST RECENT SYMPOSIUM
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As a contribution to the international congress in Lausanne IBRA organized
a symposium on 'World trade in bees and bee products'. I wanted to
generate sound debate on some important issues affecting beekeepers
everywhere.
We reviewed patterns in honey production and trade; developments in the
past month or two are good news for beekeepers, but this paper highlighted
the need for better collection of statistical information. We learnt of the
successes that can be obtained by niche marketing of bee products - all
bee products, and not only honey. We also learnt of the need to be flexible
and responsive to changing conditions (and for that you have to be well
informed); especially in the trade in live bees.
At the symposium we also looked at more global issues; the help provided
by the International Trade Commission for exporting from developing
countries, and the effect of moving to market economies in countries
formerly under central control.
The meeting also heard some hard-hitting references to new agreements
governing world trade. The global environment on trade issues is changing,
and as an industry we need to take account of that. Read on under 'Trade
barriers' to find out more.
I am pleased to acknowledge the financial support for IBRA's symposium
from the British Honey Importers and Packers Association.
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TRADE BARRIERS
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In an ideal world trade is between two partners: a willing buyer and a willing
seller, who should proceed unhindered. And this does occur more or less
inside a country or within a trading bloc.
However, our world is not ideal and barriers are put up which hinder trade
between otherwise willing parties. Often these trade barriers are dressed
up with science to make them look respectable, but in fact are there to give
unfair advantage to one part of the community over another.
The new round of Gatt, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and
the new World Trade Organization are designed to break down protective
barriers so trade can proceed more freely.
It is not the intent of Gatt or the World Trade Organization to allow countries
to replace one set of barriers (such as tariffs or unjustifiable Zoosanitary
requirements) with even more undesirable barriers based on quality or
sanitary measures.
Our challenge is to encourage all governments to abide by the spirit of Gatt.
We should support them, and appropriate international organizations, to
develop technical guidelines and databases to allow sound decision making.
We should encourage all signatories to Gatt to incorporate scientifically
sound standards and conditions into their trading requirements.
Whether we are consumers or producers, we are all entitled to a level
playing field.
E.mail: [log in to unmask]
Fax: (+44) 1222-665522
Telephone: (+44) 1222-372409
Snailmail: 18 North Road, Cardiff CF1 3DY, UK
World Wide Web: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/ibra/index.html
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