Pesticides are harming beekeeping in Japaratuba – SE

Pesticides are harming beekeeping in Japaratuba – SE

Beekeepers in the city of Japaratuba talk about a drop in 80 % production.

http://www.infonet.com.br/cidade/ler.asp?id=167614

Pesticides from the Campo Lindo sugar cane plant are damaging beekeeping production in Japaratuba. This is what the Beekeepers and Meliponicultors Association of the Productive Arrangement of Vale do Japaratuba accuses (Apivale). They say that pesticides launched by the Campo Lindo plant are killing local bees and harming beekeeping in the region.

According to Jaime Ribeiro, president from Apivale, the situation has been going on for years. “For four years now, we have been suffering losses from the mortality of bees. Each year increases. The passing year was the culmination for us, because bee mortality was very high ”, said the beekeeper.

According to the beekeeper and associate Rosivalda dos Santos, over the past four years, there was a drop in 80% in the production of apiaries in Japaratuba. “Before, we were able to harvest two tons. Last year we didn't even harvest half a ton. Bees are dying and we are losing more and more swarms ”, spoke Rosivalda.

Apivale affirms that Usina Campo Lindo has already been notified about the problems that pesticides are causing in the region. "We have evidence that they made public that they were going to use the poison. Inclusive, gave guidance that what we should do with the bees. They even said 'arrest your bees'. The day they started applying, the other day we noticed the mortality ”, said Jaime. “They are breaking the law. There has already been a meeting with the Ministry of Labor and they (Power plant) stated that they are authorized to apply, but the state is not monitoring this application ”, completed. Second Jaime, the State government responsible for inspection is the Ministry of Agriculture.

There are about sixty producers in the Japaratuba region. And Jaime explains that they hope the situation will change. "We are trying to see, because there are some rules in the law that say that it is not allowed. And with that we will see if we can prevent them from using the poison near the apiaries. If nothing is done, we will have to file a lawsuit ”, told the president.

Specialist

According to the professor of Biological Sciences, Katia Peres Gramacho, the situation of bees in Japaratuba is really delicate. The teacher monitors the situation of beekeepers in Japaratuba and has experience in beekeeping and genetic improvement with bees, and says that thousands of bees died on the spot. According to Katia, near 180 hives were lost and she believes that the fact is due to the application of pesticides.

The teacher says that the death of bees harms producers in the region. “This directly affects production. If there are no swarms, has no production of honey and food. Besides, also affects fruit production, grains due to lack of pollinators (Bees)", said Katia.

The teacher explains that the cost of losing a swarm is high, around R $ 200 / swarm. And the subsequent consequences are even more serious. “The losses are huge and involve several sectors, from nature to man ”, explained Katia.

For the teacher, the application of pesticides must be stopped. “You have to stop applying pesticides. IS, if possible, remove the hives from the range of action of pesticides, which is not easy ”, said the teacher.

Oversight

O Infonet Portal contacted the State Pesticide Commission and, according to president Aparecida Andrade, the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT), through attorney Manoel Adroado Bispo, is responsible for inspecting the irregularities of the plants operating in the state of Sergipe.

The Commission is part of the Agricultural Development Company of Sergipe (Emdagro). Aparecida explained that Emdagro also does this inspection process, but that the MPT is doing a more complete job in order to find all kinds of irregularities in the plants, including the prohibited use of pesticides.

“MPT is already monitoring the situation not only at Usina Campo Lindo, but of all the plants in Sergipe. Inspection is underway and the application of pesticides in Japaratuba is being investigated ”, explained the committee chairman.

The report by Infonet Portal sought information about the complaint with attorney Adroaldo, but it was not possible to find him at the MPT at the time in question. There was also an attempt to contact those responsible for the Campo Lindo Plant, but we were unsuccessful. O Infonet Portal is available by email jornalismo@infonet.com.br.

By Helena Sader and Raquel Almeida