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Published Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Bees have their day in Costa Rica
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Congress passed a bill declaring May 20 of each year the National Day of Bees and other Pollinators. The bill garnered 45 votes.
The bill - entitled “Declaration of public interest in beekeeping” - is meant to call attention to organizations, institutions, associations that educate the general public about the essential role played by bees and other pollinating insects.
The move followed the United Nations’ declaration of World Bee Day in 2017.
Approval of the new law is expected to improve food production, thus contributing to food security and nutrition.
The Ministry of Agriculture is in charge of the control of beekeeping activities in the country, through the national beekeeping program.
The ministry evaluates the health of bee populations of the country and Beekeepers to make sure they follow the law
According to the ministry, in Costa Rica, the development of beekeeping dates back more than one hundred years.
At present, there are about 35,000 hives and 1,558 apiaries, which each year produce 450 tons of honey.
This production fails to supply the local market, so imports are made from several Central American countries.
But bee farms don't just produce honey. Due to the development of new conservation techniques, manipulation and mechanisms for their collection, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom (apitoxin) have also begun to be produced.
Products such as facial cream, shampoo, hair conditioner and poly-leather have also been made from honey.
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Should the government create incentives to increase the local production of honey? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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