From: "Walter Lippmann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 08:23:23 -0700 To: "CubaNews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [CubaNews] Biological warfare against Cuba (Granma) GRANMA August 3, 2001 BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGAINST CUBA Bee-eating insect causes losses of two million dollars . Varroasis destroys 16,000 beehives . Cuba seeks to offset damage by producing monofloral and organic honeys which fetch a better price BY RAISA PAGES (Granma International Staff Writer) SINCE 1996, when Varroasis-the name given to the disease caused by an insect which destroys beehives-was detected in western Cuba, Cuban apiculture has recorded losses of $2 million USD between purchasing products to combat the disease and the destruction of 16,000 beehives with the resultant production consequences. The insect is a mite that feeds on the hive breeding areas. It appeared in the western part of the country, leading to the inference that it could well be a result of biological warfare against the island. Experts involved in researching the disease's antecedents in the Americas have explained that if it had spread naturally, its initial attacks would have been reported in the eastern part of the island. Eugenio Omar Ruf�n, the director of national apiculture, noted that varroasis is now prevalent throughout the island. Techniques for combating the problem involve applying Baibarol (a German product which can be used in organic production) and Italian Apilifbar (plant extracts). Another anti-varroasis method is to select those beehives most resistant to the disease in an apiary and destroy the weakest; in genetics this is known as negative selection. The predominating bee in the island's hives is the apimelifera-an Italian/Caucasian hybrid. The native bee-melipona, known as the earth bee-does not produce much honey. With the falling prices of honey on the international market due to overproduction in China, a giant that produces 1.2 billion tons annually, Cuba is seeking higher prices based on quality. Organic and monofloral honies fetch 30% more than the average prices. The Experimental Apiculture Station, located on the capital's outskirts, designed a highly precise flower map indicating the season when honey-bearing plants are in full bloom. Using this map, the so-called beehive migration method, where hives are taken to where specific plants are in maximum bloom, can be successfully applied. In this way monofloral honeys-in worldwide demand for their quality-can be collected. Backyard beekeepers take their hives to large citrus fruit plantations such as the one in Matanzas near Playa Gir�n, where thousands of hectares of orange trees guarantee monofloral honeys. They also move hives to the extensive coastal mangrove area of Ci�naga de Zapata, whose honey is much sought after by Japanese traders. Cuban honeys are highly popular in Canada, and are considered exceptional due to the island's position in the Caribbean and the low toxicity of its products. Anti-varroasis products are not vetoed by organic agricultural experts, given that Baibarol is not harmful. Many European nations-Germany in particular-are interested in Cuban honeys and are blending them with their own products to improve their quality. This year's honey production plan of 8,500 tons will be difficult to reach due to varroasis' harmful impact, but experts estimate that results should come close. For Ruf�n, the only way to compensate for low prices on the international market is to increase the volume of organic and monfloral honeys and promote these valuable products. The Apisun brand markets blends with other by-products such as propolis (a highly powerful bacterial resin with many curative qualities), royal jelly, and pollen. Monthly hard-currency sales of Apisun products reach some $7,000 USD. However, the entry of those products in the international market is very difficult due to competition among well-known companies. _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. Box 66 00841 Helsinki Phone +358-40-7177941 Fax +358-9-7591081 http://www.kominf.pp.fi General class struggle news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe mails to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Geopolitical news: [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________________________
