The Maltese Beekeeper Association, which is presided by Stephen Galea, a GRTU executive council member, said that it is “following closely developments in the sector, which emerged after the importation of around 450 nucleus boxes by a foreign investor to Gozo.”

These nucleus boxes are claimed to have been imported from France. However their journey to Malta has also included passage from zones which have already been affected by the small hive beetle, the Association said.

“It has been established that there should be no movement of bees through or from areas which have been contaminated by the small hive beetle. It would have been necessary for the transport of the nucleus boxes to have travelled through such contaminated zones since they have been transported from Reggio Calabria and Catania.”

The beekeepers said that their greatest concern remains that the “excessive quantities of the imported bees will eradicate the species of the indigenous Maltese bee. This occurs because the excessive amounts bring about mating between the imported queen bees and the indigenous bee which will automatically result in altering the species itself and trigger the aggressive streak in the bees.”

The Association stated “this situation is also alarming as it may have re-introduced the American foulbrood which leads to the destruction of effected boxes. This had occurred in Malta in the past which resulted in such a situation where boxes had to be destroyed, yet it was a limited and contained situation.”

The Maltese Beekeeper Association added that its main concern is that of the eventual annihilation of the indigenous Maltese bee. A meeting for Gozitan beekeepers was held last Tuesday, where these pressing concerns where discussed and it was concluded that “some form action is necessary to respond to this impending alarm.”

A meeting has been called for Thursday, the 29th of January and will be held in Malta since it said this could develop into an issue for Malta as well. The Association said it will be seeking a way forward to address this situation and voice its concern.

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