The Participation of the President Mr. Gilles Ratia, in the III International Scientific and Practical Conference “Beekeeping as an integrating element for the sustainable development of the agrarian sector” of the Luhansk National Agrarian University

The President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia, Mr. Gilles Ratia, participated in the III International Scientific and Practical Conference “Beekeeping as an integrating element for the sustainable development of the agrarian sector” of the Luhansk National Agrarian University in keeping with the Program of the Official Visit of Apimondia President to Ukraine agreed upon with the Secretariat. The Conference was held on 9 April 2013.

The beekeeping fair was arranged within the framework of the Conference. Mr. President visited the fair before his report at the Conference. The beekeepers of Donetsk and Luhansk Regions participating in the fair came to the University in order to present their production and the achievements in beekeeping and to participate in the III International Scientific and Practical Conference. Mr. Gilles Ratia was very interested in seeing the exhibits and talking to the exhibitors. Many beekeepers visited the master class of the President, organized by the Organizing Committee on 15 July 2011 during his previous visit to Ukraine, and eagerly waited for his report at the Luhansk Conference. Many of them are going to visit the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress to be held 29 September – 4 October 2013 in Kyiv.

The III International Scientific and Practical Conference “Beekeeping as an integrating element for the sustainable development of the agrarian sector” started at 11:00 in the University Concert Hall. The Conference was organized by the Luhansk National Agrarian University with the assistance of the Organizing Committee of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress, the NGO “Brotherhood of Ukrainian Beekeeping”, and the Beekeepers’ Association of Luhansk Region and with the support of the Luhansk Regional State Administration. The Rector and the professors of the Luhansk National Agrarian University participated in the work of the Conference.

Over 700 persons visited the Conference. These were the beekeepers of the Donbas Region (comprising of Luhansk and Donetsk Regions), the professionals and amateurs, the members of the NGO “Brotherhood of Ukrainian Beekeeping”, the Beekeepers’ Association of Luhansk Region and other Donbas beekeeping associations, the lectors and postgraduates, the scientific workers and the students of the Luhansk National Agrarian University.

The following persons spoke welcome greetings:

• The Deputy Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration on agriculture, Mr. Serhiy Masliyov

• The Rector of the Luhansk National Agrarian University, Ms. Valentina Tkachenko

• The President of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress, Mrs. Tetiana Vasylkivska

The following persons reported at the Conference:

• The dean of the Biology and Technical faculty of the LNAU, the President of the Scientific Commission “Beekeeping for Rural Development” of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress, PhD Volodymyr Yuriyovych Afanasenko (“The report on the work of the Scientific Commission Beekeeping for Rural Development”)

• The Head of the Scientific-Educational Production Center of Luhansk Region Beekeeping, the Head of the Beekeepers’ Associations of Luhansk Region, the Head of the Luhansk Region working commission of the Organizing Committee of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress, Mr. Oleksander Papchenko (“The preparation of the beekeeping sector of Luhansk Region to the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress”)

• The President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia, Mr. Gilles Ratia (“International Beekeeping Perspectives”)

• The Doctor of Economic Sciences, the Head of the Academic Department of Enterprises’ economy and the labor resources management of the LNAU, Mr. Valentin Goncharov (“Modern economic aspects of the beekeeping in rural regions”)

• The Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, the professor of LNAU, the Head of the Academic Department of surgery and diseases of small animals of the LNAU, Mr. Vitaly Izdepsky (“The efficiency of the use of bee products and veterinary preparations on their basis in terms of treating farm animals”)

• The Candidate of Biological Sciences, the docent of the LNAU, the academic department of production and processing of the husbandry, Ms.Natalia Garska (“Bee Extinction is a threat to the agriculture”).

Mr. Gilles’ report “International Beekeeping Perspectives” consisted of 3 parts: the Problems of modern beekeeping, the Methods of their solutions and Apimondia. Mr. Ratia highlighted 5 main problems, which are topical to all the continents of the world. These are: Abnormal bee colony mortality, honey adulteration, stricter and stricter regulations, increase of production cost, less and less young beekeepers. He also noted other problems, e.g. Africanization of bee colonies in Latin America, illegal bee importation, theft of beehives, conflicts with migratory apiaries, etc. Mr. Ratia emphasized that most of these problems are interconnected. In this regard their solution needs a complex approach. He also spoke about the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations and invited the audience to participate in the Congress in the Capacity of Full Delegates, Visitor Students or ApiExpo-2013 Visitor. Over 700 visitors of the Conference were listening to Mr. President with maximal attention during the hour.

A range of questions to Mr. President were addressed to the presidium during the Conference. They concerned in particular the holding of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress and the possibility of Ukrainian bee products export to EU countries, and contained the greetings of Mr. President on magnificent report and the wishes of successful Congress in September in Kyiv. Mr. Ratia and Mrs. Vasylkivska answered the questions. The President of the International Federation of Beekeeping Associations Apimondia emphasized in particular that he is constantly controlling the process of the XXXXIII International Apicultural Congress and is satisfied with its result.

The leading dancing teams and ensembles of students and lectors of the Luhansk National Agrarian University, the laureates of numerous international and Ukrainian prizes and winners of numerous contests, made a great concert after the Conference. The President of Apimondia was impressed by the exceptionally high level of the dancers’ and singers’ performance. He pointed out he would have never guessed these were the students if he had not been told about it.

The Rector of the Luhansk National Agrarian University, Ms. Valentina Tkachenko spoke about an interesting approach of the University to the selection of the members of the ensembles. All first year students are auditioned and interviewed. During the interview the employees of the University ask the students about their hobbies and creative preferences. Talented students have an opportunity to participate in ensembles and dancing teams and to realize their creative potential. Talented youth can participate in other workshops and interesting courses.