Veracruz, Veracruz – Following the approval of a legal reform, Veracruz is now seeking to protect bees by preventing the illegal transport and unauthorized installation of apiaries that could spread diseases among healthy colonies, among other measures.
The reform also establishes traceability mechanisms for hive management, a measure requested by the beekeeping community in Veracruz.
The initiative, recently approved by the State Congress, was introduced by Carlos Marcelo Ruiz Sánchez, coordinator of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico (PVEM) legislative group in the Veracruz State Congress.
Through this proposal, bees are officially recognized as “environmental engineers” because of their importance to both life and the state’s economy.
Ruiz Sánchez explained that there had been a legal gap that left not only bees vulnerable, but also Veracruz’s honey producers.
“Bees are the environmental engineers that keep humanity and the environment alive. Today we are protecting them with modern legislation that prohibits and penalizes the irresponsible transportation of beehives,” he stated.
Illegal Hive Transportation
The changes aim to stop the illegal transport and unauthorized installation of apiaries, practices that can spread diseases among healthy bee colonies.
The reform also seeks to protect natural pollination routes in the state’s different agricultural regions, ensure the authenticity of Veracruz honey, and prevent its adulteration.
Veracruz is one of Mexico’s leading states in the production of orange blossom, coffee blossom, and wildflower honey.
Ruiz Sánchez stated that uncontrolled agricultural expansion, deforestation, and the loss of native vegetation have directly affected bee populations and contributed to their decline.
Without bees, pollination would not be possible, leading to serious consequences for ecosystems and food production.
The new legislation requires state authorities to oversee and protect these species.
Source: e-veracruz
