Australian Mission to Russia.

The Second Meeting of the joint Soviet-Australian Working Group for Cooperation in Agriculture held in Moscow on the 28th Septmeber, 1989 agreed to a list of priority areas including:-

exchange of genetic material and information on livestock breeding and production.
exchange of scientific information, literature and methods of research.
improvement of bee (and sheep) production.

The Australian Mission to Russia between 26th August and 9th September on genetic improvement of honey bees resulted from the above agreement.

We first flew from London to Moscow, then drove to an Institute at Ribnoe near Ryazan, and then flew from Moscow to Sochi to visit an experimental bee breeding farm which was located in the foothills of the main Caucasian range on its western side.

The Mission Objectives were as follows:-

Review of genetic material used in the USSR
Review the systems used to maintain and improve honey bee stocks of the Caucasian and Carniolan races of honey bees.
Initiate formal protocols for direct purchase or exchange of stock with Australia honey bee breeding institutes or private breeders.
Initiate exchange of technical informatiorl on genetic improvement and other subjects relating to apiculture between the USSR and Australia.
Contact and inspect stock at USSR bee breeding establishments.
Review advances in honey bee genetic improvement technology particularly in relation to genetic resources stock.

Summary

The USSR is the largest producer of honey in the world. The world production averages about 909,000 tonnes per annum. The USSR produces 189,000 tonnes of which 50% is produced by Russia. Honey production per hive varies from 7kg to 65kg per hive depending on the region and season. Yields of 200kg per hive have been recorded.
The importance of honey production in Russia has been reflected by the considerable public sector involvement in the industry. For example, 1.8 million hives are owned by institutions with a further 8.2 million hives owned by collective farms and privately. There are 110 specialised state bee farms of which ten are Queen bee breeding and nucleus colony production centres in the USSR. This compares with an estimate world hive population of 50 million owned by 4.5 million beekeepers.
A total of 150,000 Queen bees are produced by the State each year with approximately 130,000 coming from the Caucasian Region.
The Mission emphasis was on genetic improvement of honey bees and the itinerary was organised accordingly. Three days were spent at Rybnoe Bee Research Institute near Riazan and four days in the Caucasian Region inspecting Queen bee breeding programs. The remaining four days were spent in Moscow.
The Mission's major objective of obtaining Queen Bee strains of the Mountain Grey Caucasian Queen Bees was successful. Ten Queen Bees of four different strains were selected for evaluation in Australia. The remaining objectives namely to exchange technical information, undertake collaborative research and to exchange genetic material were further formalised in a jointly signed protocol (see Appendix 5). The Mission considers that in addition to the above exchanges there are opportunities for Russian propolis and royal jelly in the Australian market. There are also opportunities for Australian expertise and technology in honey processing and packing to be exported to Russia. The Bee Breeding Institute near Sochi would welcome two Australian beekeepers on exchange for a period of two months next year. This proposal will be investigated with a view to establishing a reciprocal arrangement on a private, industry basis.
A reciprocal visit involving four Russians for a period of ten days is strongly recommended for implementation by November- December 1990, or at the latest by February 1991.
NSW Agriculture & Fisheries would be available to arrange the itinerary in consultation with industry for approval by DPIE.
A recommendation on the people to be included in the return visit is included in the report.
The Mission was successful in achieving its objectives and in providing a strong foundation for the development of future cooperation and commercial activities in the honey bee industry.