African Bee association drawn into honey spat

South African importers of sought-after organic Zambian honey are clashing with the government over claims that questionable bee-disease test results have led to import bans. It is a claim the Agricultural Department and Agricultural Research Council dismiss, with both saying SA's testing is in line with international standards. Since 2018, the department has repeatedly banned imports of non-irradiated Zambian honey because of contagious American foulbrood (AFB) disease infestations. AFB, which is deadly to bees but not harmful to humans, was first detected in the Western Cape in 2009. Business Day reports that the latest ban was first instituted in October, when the council detected AFB in non-irradiated Zambian honey consignments. The latest ban comes despite the World Organisation for Animal Health certifying the sampled imported raw Zambian honey of some importers as AFB-negative in May after the importers had independently asked the world body to test their supplies. The fight has now involved the African Bee Association (ABA), which is demanding the impasse be urgently addressed. The ABA promotes the rights of honey producers across the continent.

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