Latest news with #EFB
Daily Maverick
19-05-2025
- General
- Daily Maverick
The Chelsea Flower Show 2025, and more from around the world
Moving, tragic, surprising, inspiring, terrifying, shocking... This is a selection of images from our planet, over the past three days. Trainee beekeeping student Mandy Topping poses for a photograph at the Randalstown and District Beekeeper's Association apiary set in the private estate of Lord O'Neill at Shane's Castle on May 4, 2025 in Randalstown, Northern Ireland. Conservation Charity Buglife's recent report into the Bee population in Northern Ireland highlighted that many species in the country are in decline, with 21 species set to become extinct without intervention. Northern Ireland's honey bees are under threat due to the absence of a bee inspectorate since last year, according to the Ulster Beekeepers Association (UBKA). The bee inspector is responsible for supporting bee health, external and addresses diseases such as American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB) which affect honey bees. Although beekeepers are responsible for reporting diseases within their own colonies, bee inspectors confirm notifiable diseases, contain outbreaks, inspect neighbouring hives, and advise on destroying affected colonies. Honeybees are also facing decline due to habitat loss, climate change, including the effects of extreme weather, parasites and diseases. This Tuesday, May 20th marks International World Bee Day. (Photo by). DM
Daily Express
05-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Banggi holds biogas potential
Published on: Monday, May 05, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 05, 2025 By: Nikko Fabian Text Size: Preliminary assessments indicate Banggi Island's potential to generate over 1.5 GWh of renewable electricity annually by converting palm oil mill effluent and other biomass by-products into biogas. Kota Kinabalu: BIMP-EAGA Business Council (BEBC-Sabah) Chairman Dr. Raymond Alfred revealed its unwavering support for developing biogas energy infrastructure on Banggi Island. He said this strategic initiative aims to bolster sustainable energy security and foster inclusive economic growth in the region. 'Banggi Island, including Kudat and Kota Marudu, boasts a burgeoning oil palm industry, generating substantial biomass waste like POME and EFB…This presents a unique opportunity to transform Banggi into a model for rural renewable energy and agro-industrial development. I am eager to collaborate with Dato Verdon Bahanda, the Member of Parliament for Kudat, on this project,' he added. Preliminary assessments indicate Banggi Island's potential to generate over 1.5 GWh of renewable electricity annually by converting palm oil mill effluent and other biomass by-products into biogas. The clean energy source could power hundreds of rural homes and businesses, significantly reducing reliance on expensive diesel-generated electricity. Raymond further emphasized, 'This initiative aligns perfectly with the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, promoting green infrastructure, robust local value chains, and sustainable livelihoods. It's also crucial for Banggi's long-term goal of achieving full district status, with energy self-sufficiency forming a cornerstone of its local governance and development.' The Business Council advocates for: A comprehensive feasibility study involving state agencies, palm oil stakeholders, and renewable energy experts. Strategic public-private partnerships to expedite infrastructure investment. Robust support from national bodies such as SEDA, MPOB, and the Sabah Energy Commission. Raymond highlighted that biogas development transcends mere technological advancement; it represents a transformative opportunity to create green jobs, enhance energy access, and empower local communities in one of Sabah's most remote yet resource-rich areas. 'With the support of the BIMP-EAGA Special Envoy Tan Sri Pandikar Amin, we are committed to establishing Banggi as a pioneering example of rural energy transition—benefiting not only Sabah, but the entire BIMP-EAGA region,' quipped. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
02-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
BIMP-EAGA Business Council backs biogas development in Banggi Island
Dr Raymond (right) during his visit to one of the Biogas projects in Johor. KOTA KINABALU (May 2): The BIMP-EAGA Business Council, under the leadership of chairman Dr Raymond Alfred, recently announced its full support for the development of biogas energy infrastructure on Banggi Island, as a strategic step toward achieving sustainable energy security and inclusive economic growth in the region. 'With the growing maturity of oil palm cultivation on Banggi Island (including Kudat and Kota Marudu) and the abundance of biomass waste such as POME and EFB, we see a unique opportunity to transform Banggi Island into a model for rural renewable energy and agro-industrial development. I hope to work on this project with Dato Verdon Bahanda, the member of parliament of Kudat,' said Alfred. Initial estimates show that Banggi Island has the potential to produce over 1.5 GWh of renewable electricity annually through the conversion of palm oil mill effluent and other biomass by-products into biogas. This could power hundreds of rural households and small businesses while significantly reducing dependence on costly diesel-based electricity. 'This initiative aligns with the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025, particularly in promoting green infrastructure, local value chains, and sustainable livelihoods,' Alfred added. 'It is also a critical enabler for Banggi's long-term aspiration to be elevated to full district status, with energy self-sufficiency serving as a cornerstone of local governance and development.' The Business Council has called for: • A joint feasibility study involving state agencies, palm oil stakeholders, and renewable energy experts. • Public–private partnerships to accelerate infrastructure investment. • Enhanced support from national bodies such as SEDA, MPOB and the Sabah Energy Commission.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Inspector absence puts bee population 'under threat'
Northern Ireland's honey bees are "under threat" due to the absence of a bee inspectorate since last year, according to the chair of Ulster Beekeepers Association (UBKA). The bee inspector is responsible for supporting bee health and addresses diseases such as American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB) which affect honey bees. Valentine Hodges described the situation as "critical", adding that she is angry and disappointed that the post is vacant. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said it "is responding to recent reductions in inspectorate staff available for bee inspections and recruitment competitions are underway". The last full-time bee inspector retired at the end of October 2024 and the part-time inspector role has been vacant since December 2024. Where AFB and EFB occur, the disease control of infected colonies is the responsibility of DAERA and it's inspectors. Although beekeepers must report diseases within their own colonies, bee inspectors confirm such notifiable diseases, contain outbreaks, inspect neighbouring hives, and advise on destroying affected colonies. Mrs Hodges, a beekeeper in County Down who has around 80-100 hives, said bee inspectors "play a very important part in our normal beekeeping". "We now are at a critical stage where, through lack of recruitment and replacement, we have no bee inspectors," Mrs Hodges stated. "The diseases themselves are not a threat to the public, they are a threat to our bees." However, she said if diseases spread, it could have a knock-on effect for food supply and pollination services due to honey bees being a key pollinator. AFB and EFB do not affect the quality of the honey that the bees produce. Mrs Hodges said Daera's recruitment process is "not good enough". "It is good for the future, but we have a crisis right now," she added. Gareth Gillan, a beekeeper for over 20 years and treasurer at Mid Antrim Beekeepers Association, said he is "really concerned". "Whenever we do get inspectors back, is there going to be loads of cases of foulbrood? "American foulbrood especially is spore forming, so those spores can live up to 50 years, 60 maybe, max, so that will be in the environment for that length of time," he said. "It's not something that will go away after a couple of years, they will still be present in the environment for a long time to come. " Mr Gillan said that about 15 years ago one of his hives had a confirmed case of AFB and he had to destroy the rest of the colony. "I was a bit remorseful because I had only started my beekeeping career and this had happened. But it was best practice". For the next two years his hives were checked regularly by the bee inspector for further signs of disease. In a statement, Daera said it recently met with the UBKA, adding that it is "committed to ensuring that its statutory obligations are fulfilled, which in the case of bee health is primarily to respond to confirmed findings of a notifiable pest or disease in honeybees". "In addition, the Department provides funding to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to provide research and free testing for bee disease, available to support all beekeepers to maintain bee health in Northern Ireland," Daera said. Honey bees nested in our chimney for a year Honey bees threatened by 'nasty' disease Honey firm fears impact of new homes on queen bees
BBC News
17-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
NI's honey bees: Population at risk due to no bee inspectorate
Northern Ireland's honey bees are "under threat" due to the absence of a bee inspectorate since last year, according to the chair of Ulster Beekeepers Association (UBKA).The bee inspector is responsible for supporting bee health and addresses diseases such as American foulbrood (AFB) and European foulbrood (EFB) which affect honey Hodges described the situation as "critical", adding that she is angry and disappointed that the post is vacant. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said it "is responding to recent reductions in inspectorate staff available for bee inspections and recruitment competitions are underway". The last full-time bee inspector retired at the end of October 2024 and the part-time inspector role has been vacant since December AFB and EFB occur, the disease control of infected colonies is the responsibility of DAERA and it's beekeepers must report diseases within their own colonies, bee inspectors confirm such notifiable diseases, contain outbreaks, inspect neighbouring hives, and advise on destroying affected colonies. 'A threat to our bees' Mrs Hodges, a beekeeper in County Down who has around 80-100 hives, said bee inspectors "play a very important part in our normal beekeeping"."We now are at a critical stage where, through lack of recruitment and replacement, we have no bee inspectors," Mrs Hodges stated."The diseases themselves are not a threat to the public, they are a threat to our bees."However, she said if diseases spread, it could have a knock-on effect for food supply and pollination services due to honey bees being a key and EFB do not affect the quality of the honey that the bees Hodges said Daera's recruitment process is "not good enough"."It is good for the future, but we have a crisis right now," she added. Gareth Gillan, a beekeeper for over 20 years and treasurer at Mid Antrim Beekeepers Association, said he is "really concerned"."Whenever we do get inspectors back, is there going to be loads of cases of foulbrood?"American foulbrood especially is spore forming, so those spores can live up to 50 years, 60 maybe, max, so that will be in the environment for that length of time," he said."It's not something that will go away after a couple of years, they will still be present in the environment for a long time to come. " Mr Gillan said that about 15 years ago one of his hives had a confirmed case of AFB and he had to destroy the rest of the colony. "I was a bit remorseful because I had only started my beekeeping career and this had happened. But it was best practice".For the next two years his hives were checked regularly by the bee inspector for further signs of disease. In a statement, Daera said it recently met with the UBKA, adding that it is "committed to ensuring that its statutory obligations are fulfilled, which in the case of bee health is primarily to respond to confirmed findings of a notifiable pest or disease in honeybees"."In addition, the Department provides funding to the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to provide research and free testing for bee disease, available to support all beekeepers to maintain bee health in Northern Ireland," Daera said.
