Huda Al Tunaiji (Ras Al Khaimah)
The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is characterized by the production of the finest types of pure honey in the mountains, plains and valleys of the emirate’s regions. Therefore, the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah decided to protect this natural resource and national heritage through a number of decisions and controls to protect it, and to preserve its production processes with environmental and legal regulatory requirements.
Dr. Saif Al-Ghais, Director General of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al-Khaimah, said: “The Authority” issued, during the past few days, External Circular No. (2) for the year 2023 regarding the amendment of External Circular No. (01) for the year 2023 regarding the removal of damas and neem trees. Al-Shuraish”, and with reference to the circular and based on Law No. (2) of 2007 establishing the Environment Protection and Development Authority and its amendments, and to preserve the natural heritage of biodiversity, as these trees negatively affect the local production of honey in the region; Therefore, it is necessary to remove the “Damas” and “Al-Shreesh” trees in each of the areas of Wadi Quda’a, Wadi Sheha, Wadi Haqil, Wadi Al-Sayyat and Wadi Al-Bih.
He added: Within a period of one week from the date of issuance of this circular, those areas must abide by the application in order to avoid legal accountability, and the “Authority” is fully prepared to provide alternatives to the people and owners of farms of “Sidr and Samar” trees, to be planted in place of other trees that have been removed.
He stated that the “Authority” has allocated numbers for communication and inquiries of the people about this decision and the trees to be obtained by the “Authority”, where work teams of employees have been allocated to work on receiving and responding to the calls of the people and on requests to provide trees.
Al-Ghais said: The aim of this decision, which was recently issued by the “Authority” and distributed to specific areas of the Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, is to protect the natural Emirati honey product that is produced in the Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, specifically “Sumar honey” and “Sidr honey”, and to preserve The stages of production and quality, and the neem tree is one of the trees known for its medical benefits, from which honey is also produced. However, the Authority sees interest in honey producers, specifically in some areas of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, as the circular did not include all regions of the emirate, but rather included a number of them that have been Identifying and mentioning them in the circular, in order to take their right and their role in the production of these types of honey in open wild areas and distinguish them.
He pointed out that those areas that were identified within the circular contain a number of dwellings and farms that include neem and damas trees, and in order for the original pure honey to be produced, the honey must be free of impurities mixed with the nectar of other flowers, stressing that the primary purpose is to protect citizens from honey producers, and to provide Honey products and its derivatives are of high quality and 100% pure.
He stressed the importance of the people verifying the validity of the decisions issued by the “Authority”, which are in the public interest, as social media circulated a circular requiring the removal of those trees, and some thought that the circular includes all regions of the emirate, but the circular specified a number of them, in order to preserve wealth. and preventing or stopping the production of unwanted honey that does not meet the generally accepted environmental and legal requirements.
Apiaries license
Dr. Saif Al-Ghais stated that the “Authority” issued a regulation at the beginning of last year that defines the conditions and mechanisms for beekeeping, honey production and the establishment of apiaries. honey, and protecting the rights of licensees from them, while stopping the production of other unsuitable and harmful species.
He pointed out that this circular obliges everyone who engages in the activity of selling honey and its derivatives and its production, beekeeping and bee colonies to obtain a license from the “commission”, in order for all establishments and apiaries to be subject to control and periodic inspection that will be determined by the “commission”, and to detect pests that may affect them. Verify the availability of environmental and legal regulatory standards and requirements, and ensure the safety of the honey produced and all the stages it goes through and present it to the hands of consumers.
He stated that the “Authority” directs the inspectors to conduct field visits and ask the owners and owners of these establishments to fill out the “Apiary Registration” form to obtain approval, and then obtain the “Beekeeping Registration” certificate that requires annual renewal, as the area of the establishment will determine the size and number of apiaries in addition to Determining their number at the level of the region or geographic area, with the aim of sustaining environmental systems, preserving the national heritage of Emirati honey production that characterizes Ras al-Khaimah, providing high-quality products, and eliminating undesirables that threaten this natural resource.
Damas trees
Dr. Saif Al-Ghais explained the damage caused by Damas trees, both on local and environmental plants, including the depletion of groundwater reserves, and its damage to sewage networks as a result of the rapid and dense spread of its roots, as it is not from the local environment, and alternatives that can be used that have physiological characteristics. It is able to withstand harsh climatic conditions, including Sidr, Samar and Ghaf.
He stated that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment issued decisions regarding these trees, including Ministerial Resolution No. (699) of 2014, amending Ministerial Resolution No. (136) of 2014 regarding banning the import, production and circulation of seeds, cuttings and seedlings of Damas trees, as the decision stipulated in Article 1: The seeds and cuttings of damas trees, Conocarpus lancifolius and Conocarpus erectus, are handled and cultivated as determined by the competent local authorities.
He pointed out that the ministry subsequently issued Resolution No. (136) of 2014 regarding the ban on importing, producing, and trading seeds, cuttings, and seedlings of Damas trees, as Article 1 stipulated, “Agricultural companies, private and commercial nurseries, and stores selling, importing, producing, trading, and cultivating seeds, cuttings, and seedlings of Damas trees are prohibited. As determined by the competent local authorities. Conocarpus lancifolius and Conocarpus erectus».
He added: Article Two grants agricultural companies, private and commercial nurseries, and sales stores a period of two months to adjust the conditions and get rid of Damas seedlings in the ways approved by the competent authorities, and Article Three for all concerned authorities to implement what was stated in this decision, each in its own jurisdiction. And he continued: Then Ministerial Resolution No. (699) of 2014 amending Ministerial Resolution No. (136) of 2014 in this regard, the first article represented in amending Article 1 of Resolution No. (136) of 2014, as follows: Damas trees, as determined by the competent local authorities. Conocarpus lancifolius and Conocarpus erectus.
Highly dangerous chemical compounds
Hajar Hamid Al-Ali, a nutritionist and a member of the Emirates Nutrition Society, said: Eating agricultural products, including vegetables, fruits, and others, is one of the basics of healthy nutrition for the individual, because they contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals that the body needs, but with the increase in the need for them, some farmers turn to Using improper methods to increase productivity by spraying large quantities of pesticides to protect crops from insects, germs and rodents.
She added: The remaining amount of pesticides found on agricultural products has a toxic effect on humans, and can lead to both acute and chronic health effects, depending on the size and how people are exposed to them.
And she stated that some studies showed that these insecticides sprayed on products in many countries of the world are very dangerous chemical compounds if they are not used according to international standards, and according to pesticides and materials that the World Health Organization has allowed for their use, and also many reports indicate that levels High amounts of pesticides in food can lead to kidney and lung diseases and increase the chances and odds of developing cancer, as it provides the appropriate environment for this disease.
She pointed out that any exposure to these high chemical wastes can lead to childhood cancers and mental health problems, such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and many diseases, especially those related to the respiratory and digestive systems of many people.
Supporting Emirati honey production
Beekeepers and those involved in the production of honey and its derivatives praised the Authority’s decision, which will support the UAE honey production sector, especially the one that Ras Al Khaimah is famous for, as a source of economic income. Muhammad Mahmoud, one of the workers in the honey production activity, said: The Environmental Protection Authority’s decision is in the public interest, and contributes to supporting honey producers to provide honey products and its derivatives of high quality, away from the production of honey that is undesirable because it is mixed with the nectar of other trees that affects its taste. , and make it unacceptable for eating as a result of the presence of a bad smell that approaches the smell of “Damas” trees, as well as the taste that tends to acidity and bitterness, and changes the characteristics and recipes of honey, and some cannot eat it, and simply it is possible to differentiate if the honey is pure and clear or if it has been mixed materials and other products.
He emphasized that honey is used by a large segment of citizens, Arabs, and tourists to benefit from the nutritional value it contains and is used as food and in many therapeutic and cosmetic recipes, strengthening the body, gaining immunity, and others.
Ali Dahmani, one of the workers in the honey production activity, said: The decision is in the interest of honey producers, so that they can produce 100% pure types, free from inappropriate additives that affect the taste and aroma of the original honey, as the person who tastes honey can differentiate between the product. Pure, pure, with a distinct taste from others that do not meet the requirements.
He stated that the “Sidr” trees begin the afforestation period in May, while the “Sidr” trees in October, and the Damas trees appear during the “Sidr” afforestation period, which may affect the trees that produce the original honey through the transfer of parts of the “Damas” to it. Hence, producing products that are not identical to the original honey.
Banning pesticides
Dr. Saif Al-Ghais mentioned that among the Authority’s efforts to preserve these products, they tended in mid-September until mid-November, to permanently ban the use of pesticides and agricultural pesticides on farms, in order to sustain agricultural production and preserve the health of human consumers. Protecting bees and insects that transfer pollen among flowers, and preserving products and crops from diseases and insect pests, as excessive or highly toxic pesticide use contributes to poisoning that poses a threat to human health.
#Ras #Khaimah #Honey.. #environmental #controls #maintain #quality