[Pollinator] Fw: NWFP-Digest-L No. 1/08

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

Below are excerpts pertaining to pollinators/pollinator issues from the 
latest Non-Wood Forest Products Digest ...the link to the full digest is 
listed below...

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"Etherington, Tina (FOIP)" <Tina.Etherington at fao.org> 
01/15/2008 09:31 AM

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NWFP-Digest-L No. 1/08






NWFP-Digest-L
No. 1/08
 
Welcome to the first issue of 2008 of FAO’s NWFP-Digest-L, a free e-mail 
journal that covers all aspects of non-wood forest products. Back issues 
of the Digest may be found on FAO's NWFP home page: 
www.fao.org/forestry/site/12980/en. 
 
You can take part in contributing to the continued success of this 
newsletter by sharing with the NWFP community any news that you may have 
regarding research, events, publications and projects. Kindly send such 
information to NWFP-Digest-L at mailserv.fao.org. We also appreciate any 
comments or feedback.
 
A special thank you to all those who have sent me links to information.
 
==============================================================
 

 
PRODUCTS
 

4.         Honey - nature's infection-fighter - making a medical comeback
Source: The Canadian Press, 26 December 2007
 
Trenton, N.J. - Amid growing concern over drug-resistant superbugs and 
nonhealing wounds that endanger diabetes patients, nature's original 
antibiotic – honey – is making a comeback.
            More than 4,000 years after Egyptians began applying honey to 
wounds, Derma Sciences Inc., a New Jersey company that makes medicated and 
other advanced wound-care products, began selling the first honey-based 
dressing this fall after it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration.
            Called Medihoney, it is made from a highly absorbent 
seaweed-based material, saturated with manuka honey, a particularly potent 
type that experts say kills germs and speeds healing. Also called 
Leptospermum honey, manuka honey comes from hives of bees that collect 
nectar from manuka and jelly bushes in Australia and New Zealand.
            Derma Sciences now sells two Medihoney dressings to hospitals, 
clinics and doctors in North and South America under a deal with supplier 
Comvita LP of New Zealand. Derma Sciences hopes to have its dressings in 
U.S. drug stores in the next six months, followed by adhesive strips.
            Comvita, which controls about 75 per cent of the world's 
manuka honey supply, sells similar products under its own name in 
Australia, New Zealand and Europe, where such products have been popular 
for over a decade.
            "The reason that Medihoney is so exciting is that antibiotics 
are becoming ineffective at fighting pathogens," said Derma Sciences CEO 
Ed Quilty. Another big advantage, he said, is that the dressings' 
germ-fighting and fluid-absorbing effects last up to a week, making them 
convenient for patients being cared for at outpatient clinics or by 
visiting nurses. They also reduce inflammation and can eliminate the foul 
odours of infected wounds.
            Since receiving FDA approval, Medihoney has brought in sales 
of $150,000 in 10 weeks and Quilty plans to nearly double his 15-person 
sales force in 2008 thanks to the two new Medihoney products.
            Honey dressings and gels, as well as tubes of manuka honey, 
have been gaining in popularity overseas, fuelled by scientific reports on 
their medical benefits and occasional news accounts of the dramatic 
recovery of a patient with a longtime wound that suddenly healed.
            Regular honey can have mild medicinal benefits. A study 
published Dec. 3 showed it helps to calm children's coughs so they can 
sleep. But manuka honey is far more potent, research shows.
            Dr. Robert Frykberg, chief of podiatry at the Veterans Affairs 
Medical Center in Phoenix, said the Medihoney product has worked on about 
half the patients with diabetic foot ulcers who have used it. He said the 
Medihoney dressing can also prevent the dangerous drug-resistant staph 
infection known as MRSA from infecting open wounds.
            "It's been used on wounds where nothing else will work," said 
biochemist Peter Molan, a professor at the University of Waikato in New 
Zealand who has researched honey and other natural antibiotics for 25 
years. He's found manuka honey can kill the toughest bacteria even when 
diluted 10 times and recommends it especially for people with weak immune 
systems.
For full story, please see: 
http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hz4erE0iYmtSAGrLGTVAJK5fMZgQ
 
BACK TO TOP
 
 
5.         Honey fails ulcer test
Source: StaffNurse.com, UK, 10 January 2008
 
Some recent studies have found healing properties in honey - but a new 
study suggests it should not be used to treat leg ulcers. 
            Researchers from New Zealand found it did not improve the rate 
of healing and also led to an increase in complications. 
            The study compared conventional dressings with dressings 
impregnated with honey. 
            The findings, which involved some 386 patients, have been 
published in the British Journal of Surgery. 
            Researchers said there was no difference in the rate of 
healing between patients - but the honey treatment was more expensive. 
Researcher Dr Andrew Jull, of the University of Auckland, said: "In our 
trial the honey dressing did not significantly improve healing, time to 
healing, change in ulcer area, incidence of infection or quality of 
life.”The current focus of venous ulcer management should remain on 
compression and other treatments that have demonstrated that they improve 
compression’s ability to work or prevent ulcer recurrence." 
For full story, please see:  
http://www.staffnurse.com/nursing-news-articles/honey-fails-ulcer-test-2804.html
 
BACK TO TOP
 
 
6.         Honey: A tree full of honey 
Source: Hindu, India, 4 January 2008
 
Bangalore: The banyan tree near Nandagudi in Hoskote taluk of Bangalore 
Rural district that has the ‘world’s largest number of beehives’. This 
unique tree has as many as 600 beehives and is being pegged for an 
International Heritage Site tag. 
            The Institute for Natural Resources Conservation, Education, 
Research and Training (INCERT) is making efforts to get this matchless 
tree get recognised as an International Heritage Site so as to create 
awareness about the importance of this bee colony. 
            Speaking to The Hindu, M.S. Reddy, Reader, Department of 
Zoology, Bangalore University, said that the banyan tree was being 
monitored by apiculturists for more than a decade, and their records show 
that there were approximately 625 bee colonies around November 2005. 
            A survey conducted in October 2007 revealed the number of 
hives in the tree to be around 575. Dr. Reddy said: “The effort to 
recognise this tree as an International Heritage Site will not only help 
horticulture prosperity, but also play a vital role in protection of the 
environment and maintaining the ecological balance as bees, through 
pollination, help increase the biodiversity.”
            The banyan tree is largely surrounded by eucalyptus trees 
whose flowers are a major source of nectar to the bees. During the 
monsoon, the size of the colony reduces as the rock bees migrate due to 
lack of flowering in the eucalyptus trees. Dr. Reddy said: “To prevent 
this migration, the villagers in the vicinity are being encouraged into 
agricultural activities like coconut plantations and floriculture which 
may help create sustenance to the bee colony. This is so that the bees may 
thrive on them round the year and do not have to migrate in the monsoon 
season.”
            Even the villagers have stopped extracting honey for the past 
three years after they were informed that their unskilled methods of 
extraction led to the decline in the number of beehives, he added. 
For full story, please see: 
http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/04/stories/2008010454310400.htm
 

 
8.         Medicinal insects: Scientists discuss medicinal insects
Source: VietNamNet Bridge, Vietnam, 7 January 2008
 
Over 200 scientists and doctors gathered in Hanoi at a conference about 
using insects in medicines last week. They are planning a five-year 
project researching medicinal insects. The conference attracted scientists 
and doctors from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Science and 
Technology, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural 
Development, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as well as 
hospitals and universities. 
            This is the first time scientists and doctors have convened at 
a seminar to discuss using insects medicinally.
            At the seminar, Dr. Le Xuan Hue from the Institute for Ecology 
and Fauna Resources announced his research of scorpions. Vietnamese people 
often soak scorpions in alcohol to make a drink they believe strengthens 
their health or to use in massage. Scorpions are also mixed with some 
kinds of herbs to cure headaches and other diseases.
            Doctor Tran Thi Hong Thuy from the Military Traditional 
Medicine Hospital released her research on earthworms (Pheretima asiatica 
Michaelsen). Accordingly, earthworms can be used to cure high blood 
pressure.
            Dr. Dai Huy Ban and his co-workers from the Science and 
Technology Institute of Vietnam announced their research about Dong Trung 
Ha Thao (Asaria sp cordyceps roberti), an organism believed to shift 
between insect and plant. Dong Trung Ha Thao is a tonic comparable to 
Ginseng. In the past, only royal families used this medicine. Research 
shows that Dong Trung Ha Thao is good for health and can be used to cure 
pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchitis, to stabilize blood pressure and 
strengthen sexual ability. 
            Scientists also presented their research about other species 
of insects, such as ants, worms, belostomatids, termites, etc. 
            According to Dinh Thanh Ha, from the Military Traditional 
Medicine Hospital - a member of the organizing board - a State-level 
research project, namely “preserving, exploiting and using insects in 
traditional medicines,” will be carried out from 2008 to 2013. To serve 
this project, an insect center will be established in Ba Vi, Son Tay 
province this year.
For full story, please see: 
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/Monday/BizFocus/20080101234828/Article/
 

22.       Ghana: Nature provides honey to compensate flood victims
Source: Joy Online, Ghana, 27 December 2007
 
Large quantities of honey believed to be an experience in many years is 
being harvested in the Mamprusi West District this year.
            Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in 
Walewale and Wungu, some farmers attributed the bumper harvest of honey to 
the heavy rains of last August and September which resulted in many pools 
of water that the bees needed to make honey.
            Others said it was nature’s way of providing for the people 
who lost their food and property during the floods.
            Mr. Ayamdo Apaya, a farmer who also keeps bees and uses solar 
energy to process honey said those who harvest honey from the wild were 
getting three or four times as much honey as they usually harvested in the 
past years.
            “One farmer can harvest between 25 and 30 gallons of honey 
this year unlike previous years when one person could not make more than 
10 gallons and this is only the beginning, we have another harvest season 
that begins in March and that too might come in large quantities”, he 
said.
            Mr. Apaya expressed concern that there might not be good 
market to consume the honey, explaining that many people did not know the 
nutritional value of honey and still preferred sugar.
            He however, said that pure honey could be stored for more than 
three years and still be in good condition for eating, adding that some 
people believed that the longer honey stayed the more potent it became, 
especially for medicinal purposes.
            He said a gallon of honey in Walewale and Bolgataga cost 16 
Ghana Cedis, while a bottle of 700ml sold at 2.5 Ghana Cedis.
For full story, please see: 
http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/200712/11763.asp
 

 
27.       Turkey is second in honey production
Source: Biamag, Turkey, 1 January 2008
 
Turkish Apiarists Union chair Yilmaz said that the EU imported some 
200,000 tons of honey each year and Turkey, which produces 70,000 tons of 
honey each year, exports only 18,000 to Europe.
            At the meeting on "Beekeeping and Honey Production in Turkey," 
which was organized with contributions of the Van Chamber of Commerce and 
Industry, the Turkish Apiarists' Union and the Provincial Directorate of 
Agriculture said Turkey was second after China in honey production. 
However, they said there were serious problems in Turkey about honey 
exports, advertising and marketing. 
            Bahri Yilmaz, head of the Turkish Apiarists' Union, complained 
about the inadequacy of legal regulations. He said the illegal honey 
commerce was a big problem for the producers in Turkey. This illegal honey 
is being exported with a 'Turkish honey' label. All the honey is sent back 
to Turkey when various chemicals are found in it," said Yilmaz. 
            Yilmaz said there were beekeepers' unions in 62 countries with 
some 17,000 members. He said some 40,000 people in Turkey were 
professional beekeepers. Some 180,000 families earn a living from 
beekeeping, according to him. “If the honey producers are supported, this 
production can expand to become a source of very important economic 
income." 
            Murat Akbay, head of the Provincial Directorate of 
Agriculture, spoke about organic agriculture in Turkey. He said 
certificates were needed to export organic products to foreign markets. 
Akbay said there was a certification problem in Van for the organic 
products. 
            The following information was also available at the meeting: 
* While there are five beehives in every square kilometer in Turkey, this 
number in Van is 0.87. There are 6,690 permanent beehives in Van and 
27,000 travelling beehives. 
* The producers in Van also have difficulty in advertising and promoting 
their honey. Van honey is above standards in terms of quality and is 
usually exported to Europe with different titles. (BB/EA/YE)
For full story, please see: 
http://www.bianet.org/bianet/kategori/english/32477/turkey-is-second-in-honey-production
 
 
EVENTS
 

2nd International Beekeeping Congress
19-21 August 2008
Thimphu, Bhutan
Asia has long been well known for its glorious tradition of beekeeping and 
honey hunting, rich and diversified bee flora and fauna and suitable 
climate for beekeeping almost throughout the year. Asia is one of the 
leading continents in beekeeping research and training. Beekeeping is now 
established and developed as a profitable agro- forest based industry 
providing basic employment, supplementary income and nutritious food to a 
large rural population besides enhancing crop productivity through 
pollination.
            Judicious planning and meticulous implementation of different 
innovative programs of Government departments, research institutions, 
private organizations, Universities and NGOs have paved the way for the 
modernization of beekeeping. In view of the availability of vast honey 
potentials, there is tremendous scope for further expansion, extension and 
diversification of beekeeping for sustainable livelihoods.
            Beekeeping plays a crucial role in the present context of 
commercialization of agriculture and liberalization of economy. It covers 
entire scope of honeybee resources, bee products, beekeeping practices, 
pollination services and their interface with business systems and 
environment integrity. There is a significant unknown diversity of 
scientific and practical knowledge available in different countries which 
need to be disseminated properly. Due to lack of coordination amongst 
different implementing agencies little information is available on the 
overall status of research, training and extension systems.
            The International Beekeeping Conference will provide a forum 
for reorienting the policies and programs for more productive and 
sustainable apiculture. The theme of the congress “Beekeeping development 
and its relevance in mountain agriculture” is most apt in the present 
context. The conference objective is to showcase research and development 
activities in bees and bee products.
            The three day conference organized by Century Foundation, 
Bangalore, India in association with Ministry of Agriculture, Royal 
Government of Bhutan will help to develop an agenda to ensure sustainable 
livelihood, natural resource use optimization and eco-system protection 
through income generating activities like beekeeping. It will bring 
together the international scientific community involved in the study of 
bees and a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of the diversity 
of bees in the Himalayan Kingdom and experience the wonderful hospitality 
of Bhutan.
Topics / Technical Sessions:
·                     Biology and Management of Honeybees
·                     Bees and Crop Pollination
·                     Honey Flora and Migratory Beekeeping
·                     Bee Pests, Diseases and Enemies
·                     Bee Products: Processing and Marketing
·                     Honey quality, safety and International trade issues
·                     Beekeeping Technology and Equipment
·                     Bees and Environment
·                     Beekeeping Training and Extension
·                     Apitherapy
·                     Organic Honey Production and its importance
The last date for submission of abstract (s) is May 30, 2008
For more information, please contact:
Dr. V. Sivaram,
Organizing Secretary – 2nd IBC 2008
Department of Botany,
Bangalore University
Bangalore - 560056, INDIA
Email: ibcbhutan at gmail.com or sivaram900 at gmail.com
Tele: 91-80-22961315,
Fax: 91-80-23219295
Mobile: 9845514004
or
Mr. Kailash Pradhan
Dy. Chief Research Officer
Local Coordinator -2nd IBC2008
Council for RNR Research of Bhutan
Ministry of Agriculture
Thimphu, Bhutan
Tel#: 00-975-2-323514/322936
Fax#: 00-975-2- 322504/321097
Mobile #: 00-975-17614798
E-mail: kp_pradhan at yahoo.co.uk
or
Congress President:
Dr. Anita, M
Century Foundation
Bangalore, India
Mobile: 91-9845056044
E-mail: anitam35 at yahoo.com
www.cenfoundindia.org
 


 
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