The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) is warning that the illegal importation and sale of honey and other bee products could have serious consequences for Samoa's agriculture, biodiversity and food security.
Bio-security Samoa said prohibited bee products have recently been promoted and sold through online platforms and commercial outlets, despite a long-standing ban under the Bee and Bee Products (Prohibition) Order 1999 and the Quarantine (Bio-security) Act 2005.
The ministry said the ban applies to honey, comb honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax and other bee-derived products unless they have been specifically authorised under bio-security laws.
According to Bio-security Samoa, Samoa remains free from many of the destructive bee pests and diseases affecting honey industries overseas. Introducing those pests or diseases could severely impact the country's bee population, reducing pollination that many crops rely on for production.
The ministry warned this would not only affect local beekeepers but also agriculture, biodiversity and the wider economy, while posing a risk to the nation's food security.
