Repeated volume importation of queen bees is bane to beekeepers as exotic species are perceived as invasive. And amid the onslaught of deadly ailments afflicting indigenous flora and fauna, profitability of sustainable beekeeping with apis mellifera, the most prolific honey gatherers thus pollinators, are continually at risk.
Indeed, too much fear overcomes logic, so unless hard scientific studies prove otherwise, anything foreign is culprit. It inflicts dire consequences to honey production and subsequently to organic farming, food adequacy and sound environment.
Interbreeding is a strategy to attain desirable genetic traits, hence disguised as stock improvement intervention for honey bees in the country. But it would be prudent to get a few breeders since eggs from a solitary queen would suffice for the purpose; after which resultant hybrids, after their local viability is ascertained through a series of vetting processes by the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute, could very well address the ill effects of inbreeding. Mandated agencies are not merely intended as facilitators in import-to-sell or distribute transactions.
In 2004, when the matter was under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry, an undetermined large number of queen bees were offered for sale after allegations of widespread American Foulbrood infestation. The prognosis was a hoax because despite non-intervention nor mitigation, beekeepers still exist in the Cordillera Administrative Region, in fact they are the most productive in the country. Obviously, it was the handiwork of enterprising people with links to the purported experts.
Whereas, the haul consummated in 2019 was with participation of the Bureau of Animal Industry and NARTDI, according to an FB post captioned “agyaman kami Nartdi Dmmmsu and Da-Bai…” (our thanks Nartdi Dmmmsu and Da-Bai). It is bolstered by a private message of one Albee Marcia in reaction to clamors for enlightenment about the deal “…stop sour graping. Do not blame DA BAI, blame NARTDI.”
The Beekeepers Association of the Philippines Inc. was never consulted in these instances. No related topics were ever tackled in meetings conducted prior to, during and after procurement, as well as distribution.
While said items were sold in the earlier transactions, these were given free later. However, selection of recipients were to the liking of DA BAI and NARTDI. No information about criteria or mechanics of dispersal was proffered by NARTDI personnel.
Sourcing of bees overseas are welcome opportunities for merchants, but at what cost to practitioners on the ground? Untold miseries. Not well poised in battling wary indignant folks due to absence of science based evidence, made authorities appear to be so engrossed about “felt needs” over real needs!
And compounded by numerous negative performances of introduced plant and animal species, that are often attributed to as vectors of contagions, that even mutate to afflict human beings, with no known treatment. “I therefore conclude that these are outcomes of specimens that leaked out from experiment laboratories,” propounded Fred Wallis, a participant in CAR beekeeping forums.
Moreover, worth noting are the 2004 incident which was followed by the meningococcemia outbreak scare that gripped the City of Baguio for sometime prompted tourists, passers-by and returning residents to avoid the place. In like manner, the purchase made early last year precedes the current rampage of CoViD-19, aggravating whatever damage caused New Castle’s Disease, African Swine Fever, Bird Flu, etc.** Alvin Ayugat, BAPI Vice President
