by PNA
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has issued an administrative order directing the promotion and development of apiculture or
honeybee industry, including the official controls and regulatory requirement under the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
Alcala said honeybee production is recognized in the country as an important agricultural activity providing income and livelihood to small farmers. Bees, he said, are insects that belong to the animal kingdom.
In ordering the
promotion of beekeeping, the secretary cited Article 4.15.1 of the Terrestial Code of the World Organization for Animal Health which describes the official control of bee diseases to include:
* An organization for permanent health surveillance;
* Approval of breeding apiaries for export trade;
* Measures for cleaning, disinfection and disinfestation of apicultural equipment; and,
* Rules precisely stating the requirement in issuing an international veterinary certificate.
Alcala said that in recognizing the potential of apiculture, Republic Act No. 9151 was passed creating the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute under the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in La Union.
He likewise justified his order with a resolution passed by the Advisory Board formed under R.A. 9151 in a board meeting in September 2, 2011 requesting the inclusion of apiculture as one of the commodities for development of the Department of Agriculture.
Through the order, Alcala also directed BAI to support the development of the Apiculture Road Map and integrate its annual work and financial plan under the National Livestock Program and to formulate appropriate official controls and quarantine measures based on World Organization for Animal Health standards and other international setting bodies.
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