Promoting the Development of Apiculture or Honeybee Industry

March 29, 2012

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 14-12

 

WHEREAS, apiculture or honey bee production is recognized in the country as an important agricultural activity providing income and livelihood to small farmers; SATDEI

WHEREAS, bees are insects which belong to the animal kingdom;

WHEREAS, Article 4.15.1 of the Terrestrial Code of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) described the official control of bee diseases to include (i) an organization for permanent health surveillance; (ii) approval of breeding apiaries for export trade; (iii) measures for cleaning, disinfection and disinfestation of apicultural equipment and (iv) rules precisely stating the requirement for issuing an international veterinary certificate;

WHEREAS, Article 4.15.2 of the Terrestrial Code states that these official controls should be under the Veterinary Authority;

WHEREAS, recognizing the potential of apiculture, Republic Act No. 9151 was passed creating the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute (NARTDI) under the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Province of La Union;

WHEREAS, section 3 of RA 9151, defined the general power and functions of NARTDI and that these should be consistent with the research, extension and development programs of the Department of Agriculture, DOST, DTI, DENR, NEDA and DMMMSU;

WHEREAS, section 6 of RA 9151 identified the composition of the Advisory Board with the DA Secretary as ex officio Chairman;

WHEREAS, during the Advisory Board Meeting of September 2, 2011 a resolution was passed requesting the inclusion of apiculture as one of the commodities for development of the Department of Agriculture.

NOW, THEREFORE I, PROCESO J. ALCALA as Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with the powers vested in me by law, do hereby issue this Administrative Order directing the Bureau of Animal Industry to:

1. Promote the development of apiculture in coordination with NARTDI and other beekeepers and stakeholders; ADSIaT

2. Support the development of Apiculture Road Map and integrate its annual work and financial plan under the National Livestock Program;

3. Formulate appropriate official controls and quarantine measures based on OIE standards and other International setting bodies.

This Administrative Order also directs the transfer of any existing honey bee quarantine activity from the Bureau of Plant Industry to the Bureau of Animal Industry.

This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

Recommending Approval

(SGD.) EFREN C. NUESTRODirector

Approved

(SGD.) PROCESO J. ALCALASecretary