Madeira’s Stuggling Beekeepers

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

The JPP Parliamentary Group was contacted by a group of beekeepers from the Autonomous Region of Madeira who requested the party’s intervention with the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment (SRAPA).

Reports indicate that in May 2024, American Foulbrood disease was found in beehives in the areas of Santana, Ilha, and São Jorge. Following current health protocols, the affected colonies had to be destroyed and burned. “It’s a drastic but necessary step to stop the spread of the disease,” confirms the statement.

Beekeepers “scrupulously complied with the guidelines of the regional authorities,” ending up losing “work, production, entire colonies, and the income that resulted from the production of honey from these colonies.”

The JPP adds:

“They trusted the word of the Secretariat, competed for the promised support to compensate for the losses, and waited with the legitimate expectation of those who believed in the guarantees that was given to them.”

However, after several months, no financial recompense has been awarded, the parliamentary group reports. For the JPP, this delay is “unacceptable, unjustifiable and unworthy of a guardianship that has the obligation to protect those who work the land and guarantees the sustainability of a sector as crucial as beekeeping, which is fundamental for agriculture, biodiversity and the local economy.”

“It is even more serious when these beekeepers denounce, with deep frustration and resignation, that other producers, some not affected by the American Foulbrood, received new support and equipment, coinciding these benefits with the pre-election period, which raises serious doubts about the criteria of equity, impartiality, and transparency in the allocation of public support.”

The JPP rejects any logic of double standards and says it does not accept that those who have lost the most, those who have suffered the most, and those who need it most, remain forgotten, while others are rewarded on the eve of elections.

Faced with this situation, the JPP parliamentary group says it cannot fail to criticise the tutelage’s stance and to question when the promised support will be paid to the affected beekeepers.

“Madeira cannot continue to be held hostage to delays, selective favours or electoral management of public money,” the party concludes.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com