Saudi Gazette report

BAHA — A number of honey producers have complained their businesses have been greatly damaged by pesticides used to combat locusts, Al-Madinah daily reported.



They said pesticides are being sprayed without them being informed beforehand.



They pointed out planes used for spraying the chemicals have destroyed their beehives and led to huge losses.



Honey producers have complained to the Ministry of Agriculture and asked for compensation.



Ahmad Al-Zahrani said he and other honey producers were surprised by planes spraying pesticides.



He said if they had been given prior warning they would have relocated their hives.



He pointed out that this has cost businesses a lot of money as producing honey is costly.



Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said spraying pesticides has resulted in damage to hundreds of beehives.



He said: “This will result in a short supply of locally produced honey on the market leading to higher prices.



The head of the honey producers committee, Ahmad Al-Khazem, confirmed traders’ losses are huge due to the arbitrary spraying of pesticides.



He asked the body responsible for spraying pesticides to compensate honey producers.



He pointed out honey producers usually work in areas that witness rainfall. These are areas where locusts also gather.



There must be prior coordination between organizations spraying pesticides and honey producers to allow them to relocate their beehives to a safer place, said Al-Khazem.