Caribbean Beekeeping Stakeholders Unite to Protect Bees and Strengthen Regional Food Security
The Association of Caribbean Beekeepers Organizations (ACBO), in partnership with the
Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN), and with funding support from the Global
Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP – Saint Lucia) of the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the European Union (EU) funded Biodiversity
Support Programme in ACP Coastal Environments (BioSPACE Project) being
implemented by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); and the Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is pleased to invite country participation in the
development of a regional apiculture policy. The goal is to develop a modern, scientific
driven, sustainable and community and country owned Apiculture Industry.
In December 2024, the ACBO hosted the 12th Caribbean Beekeeping Congress. Over
100 beekeepers from 15 Caribbean countries worked together to draft The Gros Islet
Declaration, which articulates the principles and strategies for developing and protecting
bee species and honey production in the Eastern Caribbean. ACBO approached GEF
SGP UNDP and OECS for funding and both organisations partnered to support the
development of the first OECS policy for beekeeping.
In pursuit of this policy, consultations will be held in the OECS Countries as follows:
● Grenada: April 28 – May 3
● St. Vincent and the Grenadines: April 28 – May 6
● Dominica: May 11–14
● Saint Lucia: May 13–17
● St. Kitts & Nevis: May 18–22
● Antigua & Barbuda: June 22 – 27
These consultations are extremely important, because of the high bee colony losses in
North America which are estimated to reach as high as 60% – 70% in 2025. This will
severely impact their ability to produce and export honey. There is therefore a need to
increase support to local beekeeping sectors across the Caribbean as a means of
safeguarding bee populations to ensure sustained honey production and food security.
Bees are extremely important to the local resilience of a country, since they pollinate over
80% of local food crops. Safeguarding bees is therefore a priority for Caribbean islands
due to their small size and increasing vulnerability to climate change.
According to Mr. Chamberlain Emmanuel, Head, Environmental Sustainability Cluster ·
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), “the role of Caribbean beekeepers
has never been more crucial. Bees are sensitive indicators of environmental health,
and their practices contribute to the preservation of biodiversity by adopting
sustainable beekeeping methods. Beekeepers help to mitigate the impacts of
climate change, promoting healthier ecosystems that can better withstand
environmental stresses”. Mr. Giles Romulus, Senior Programme Manager GEF SGP
UNDP Saint Lucia and on whom the Governor General of Saint Lucia conferred the Saint
Lucia Medal of Honor (Gold) for 2025, also stated that , “we must not stand motionless
to learn then to act, but rather to set-up systems to enable continuous learning and
innovation while in action. Bees are nature’s example of specialization within a
cooperative management paradigm, for the betterment of the entire colony in
symbiosis with nature.” These consultations are part of the learning and innovation
process to develop the required instruments and tools to safeguard Caribbean bees.
These consultations will serve to collect feedback from regional beekeeping stakeholders
in order to develop the most sustainable and inclusive strategies to ensure that bee
populations in the Caribbean do not suffer the same fate as North America. The strategies
will be compiled into a regional beekeeping policy, which we hope to use as the legal
instrument to attract more support for bee conservation within the region. Ms. Joanne
Husbands, National Coordinator, Caribbean Youth Environment Network (Saint Lucia
Chapter) notes that “As stewards of our environment, young people have a vital role
in promoting the sustainability of the apiculture industry. Here lies your chance to
make a significant impact, as you represent the future of the apiculture industry
and the preservation of the essential ecosystems and habitats that bees require for
their survival”.
Bees are not just important to beekeepers, beekeeping stakeholders and enthusiasts.
Caribbean people benefit from bees on a daily basis, in the food they eat and the trees
that provide shade, land protection and water conservation. Therefore I urge and
beckon you to come out and support your local beekeepers and local bee
populations at the consultations. It is imperative that the region develops the best
mechanisms to ensure that bees are protected, before it is too late.
For more information, please contact your local beekeeping organization or Ministry of
Agriculture. You can also reach out to the Association of Caribbean Beekeeping
Organization at info@acboonline.com.
