INTERNATIONAL CAUCASIAN HONEYBEE WORKSHOP FINAL EVALUATION REPORT
JULY 14-23, 2006
CAMILI (ARTVIN)-TURKEY

Turkey is in an admirable position among the countries of the world in terms of genetic diversity of honey bees. It is a duty and responsibility to preserve this genetic “treasure” with great care for future generations. The presence of multiple bee races, rather than one homogeneous bee gene pool, will make it easier to successfully confront new threats such as environmental change, emerging epidemics, drought and other natural disasters. For this reason we have to consider long term sustainability of our apiculture, instead of short-term economic profits.

For this purpose we present the following proposals.

1- As protection of biological diversity and eradication of rural poverty are among the ultimate goals of TEMA Foundation, establish a coordination center under the auspices of TEMA Foundation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Türkiye Beekeepers Association , and similar organisations to prioritize and pursue the suggestions put forth in this workshop; establish a secretariat, internal and external advisory boards;

2-In order that the information compiled and collated during the workshop be shared with interested, parties and the scientific community, documentation should be prepared to be published both in written format and on the internet.

3-To establish a joint working committee with the authorities/interested parties where the Caucasus bee population naturally occurs;

4-In line with the local approach adopted in the Camili basin of the Caucasus, identify and define other honeybee types and genotypes, including isolation, selection and certification of possible genetic reserves;

5-Plan studies to characterize and quantify behavioural traits, (pollination, hygiene, resistance towards disease and parasites, agressiveness, etc.) of Caucasian and other native honeybees;

6- Advocate to the relevant government agencies for the allocation of suitable land to the persons and organisations willing to invest in the rearing of genetically pure or hybrid queens (F1);

7-Draw up recommendations for the types of bees that are suitable for stationary and migratory beekeeping;

8-To establish the quality and control criteria for the production and marketing of queens;

9- To assist in the transfer of information and experience accrued thus far, continue with the workshops in the future. Explore other possibilities of funding for future meetings;

10. As there is a genuine demand for queens that survive in cold weather conditions, conduct studies to select Caucasus bees that are resistant to parasites and diseases and explore the possibility of the Caucasus queens’ exportation to meet the demand of countries without indigenous honeybees;

11. As the Project could only be construed to be successful in case the designated bee-derived products are marketable, this issue should not be overlooked;

12. To revise the queen performance evaluation forms and incorporate questions to determine the well-being and status of the queen and the colony for two years following the sale;

13. As there is a fundamental linkage between local beekeeping methods and established protection of honey bees in the Camili area, these methods should be evaluated and promoted where appropriate. This will assure that the ecological, economic and cultural benefits will not be lost before they are fully understood;

14. There should be strict regulation against entry of foreign bee races, such as Italian or Carniolan bees to Turkey.