Friday, March 29, 2024

Zambian honey samples sent to Germany-Kapampa

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Government says it has sent samples of honey to Germany for tests for suspected American Foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) that is suspected to be in Zambia’s honey.

This follows the banning of honey from Zambia on the South African market after it was alleged to have been found contaminated with a disease called American Foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) .

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Kampamba Mulenga said samples of Zambian honey have since been sent to Germany for laboratory tests in that country.

Ms. Mulenga said Zambia started exporting honey to South Africa in 2015 after qualifying as one of the countries in the region without the American Foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) in its honey.


She stated that the country exports in excess of four hundred tonnes of honey to South Africa and is also currently exporting to the European countries.

“We have been exporting honey we only knew of the larvae when we received information from our counterparts from south Africa recently stating that our honey has the American Foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae),” the Minister said.

The Minister noted that her ministry would only engage the South African government after the test results are out from Germany.

“So currently we cannot seek a way forward with our partners in south Africa because we have sent our own independent sample to Germany and awaiting results,” she said.

Ms. Mulenga said testing for American Foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae) is expensive hence the country conducts inspections on Zambian honey annually.

The Minister noted that the last tests which were done in December on honey were all clear of the larvae.

“When we have our own results then we can have talks with our counterparts in south Africa,” she said.

Last week, The Zambian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa protested the ban imposed on export of Zambian honey to South Africa.

In a letter written to South African authorities, Zambia’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba said he had learnt with regret that South Africa has restricted market access for Zambia’s pure honey with immediate effect.

Mr. Mwamba has stated that the ban was done outside procedures and trade regulations.

13 COMMENTS

    • It is looking for negatives Hagain! These guys Ha Cursed. It is your country! Maybe you are from Pluto! That is why I can NEVER vote for Hakainde Mentally-Disabled. Unpatriotic tribalists.

    • Surprisingly National crntre for scientific research has no equipment to perform such a test? We need to have capacity to take samples on a regular basis if we want our goods to reach every market like the South African ones.

    • Germany has some of the most reputable honey laboratories in the world and the honey industry world wide recognizes this. They test thousands of samples from around the world each year due to their expertise.
      The intent in sending to Germany was to use a third party lab without any possible conflict of interest. Also American Foulbrood Disease (paenibacillus larvae) requires very specialised testing.
      However, most of your comments (Chonya, rudemonk, Sipinya etc) do highlight a shortcoming for us here in Zambia but civil servants have to be motivated to want to do these tests which they don’t seem to be.

      Finally let me point out that the real issue to be commenting on is that South Africa is contravening the WTO-OIE trade agreements which state that if SA has this disease (which…

  1. Africa… we don’t not have our own laboratories?

    The entire continent and AU, SADC etc doing? What do these guys do at that organisation?

    This is embarrassing?

    It is even alarming to read that you have to send samples abroad to detect some sort of food poisoning… otherwise we’d all be collapsing without knowing the causes…

    We are coauthors of our own demise!!

    • And the loony @sharon thinks this is looking for Negatives … I dont believe this is just an issue of blaming the PF but this is an African problem and issue is rightfully raised and questions should be abound how the AU or SADC or COMESA does not have labs that can test for a wide range of agro goods whether processed or not if they meet standards. This will also help to resolve such issues in good time and mutually amicable. This n0nsensical thinking of always politics or tribe as the obsessed sharon expresses is retrogressive and belongs to the neolithic era

  2. Laughable indeed. Germany does not farm Zambian honey and thats where samples were taken for what. Dont we have Zambian scientists to test that. Infact there is no honey in Germany that may have such a disease. Wasting tax payers money. And the country is on its knees financially and some people have the audacity of sending samples of honey to Germany. Just wait for the bill… over $1million iliko liko!!!!
    This governmnent is mafi mwe!
    Disaster!!!!

  3. Science could be the backbone of a splendid future for Zambia. We should put effort into making Zambia self-sufficient in scientific services, especially regarding agriculture.

  4. MAKE ZAMBIA GREAT AGAIN. PF government of crooks and money laundering. Vote wisely and make sure this government is out of office in the next elections

    • Hakainde Mentally-Disabled Under Five money launderer and Paradise Papers crook will NEVER be President! The best thing he can be is Namwala Paramount Chief or section leader or ward chairman. Childish and Under Five upstairs.

  5. The real issue to be commenting on is that South Africa is contravening the WTO-OIE trade agreements which states that if SA has this disease (which it does) and if it does not have an official control program for it (which it does not) then it is not allowed to impose more stringent control measures on imported honey than for its domestically produced honey (which it is doing). The is outright protectionism and unfair trade and it is affected the livelihoods of 100,000 rural bee keepers who are some of the poorest of the poor in rural Zambia.

  6. There are three things here: we do not trust our tests because if we did we could defend the results. Secondly South Africa knows we are handicapped and not strong enough to challenge their decision despite having degrees in various fields.Thirdly commissions. What is the proposed cost of testing the honey and the actual cost.
    Country men this is evidenced in the way our own leaders flock to South Africa for treatment of flu!!! Lack of trust in our own scientists and doctors or misuse of government resources!!! Shame indeed!!!

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