Sign up for bee-therapy | Beauty-cure | Anti-aging | Infertility | Cancer of the breast | Hashimoto-Thyreoiditis | Crohn's disease
Rheumatism | Juvenile idiopathic arthritis | Heart diseases | Arteriosklerosis | MS | Diabetes | Neurodermitis | Obesity | Depression and Psychosis
 Allergies | Alzheimer / Parkinson | Diseases of the kidneys | Pancreas | how to improve fitness of the body
Propolis | Beeswax | Royal Jelly | Organic Honey | Comb in the Comb | Raw Honey | Organic Beekeeping Basic Course
Expertise | Courses | Home | Research | Save Beecolonies-Bienenpatenschaft | Certification | Training Apitherapy

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PART   I

A reason to get excited? No, certainly not. But you have to call it something - and this needs to be done clearly. Well, those who prefer cream honey should be clear about this honey: it is a somehow processed product. Why? The honey is, anyhow, being stired over several days and warmed up again. This honey-stiring-manner has been described by Mr. Binder-Köllhofer: "How do I get cream honey? Very simple: First of all you fill the stired honey - already stired over several days for instance with the help of a drill (the author) - in a bucket or container and let it cristalize. It becomes hard but can easily be heated again (35 to 38°C over 2 to 4 days in a special cupboard). Then stir once more (if the stir-drill can be easily moved into the honey) and fill it into jars. After this, let the air bubbles vanish and skim the foam. In the end put it in a heated room (22 to 25°C) and fill it in temperate jars" (2). Depending on how often you stir, once, several times thoroughly or very intensive, you'll get according to Mr. Binder-Köllhofer a "fine-stiff", "creamy" or "Creamy-flowing" or better "over-stired" honey. This is the one.

Later I'll discuss methods how to get good honey without manipulating it. But the other is the question of quality regarding organic honey and organic beekeeping. How must it be, the socalled bio-honey or organic honey? Let's ask Mr. Walter Lang, an expert on honey. What does he say? He says: "Allos. So must it be, the bio-honey" (3). Concealing a total emptyness is neither a thankful nor an easy business. Mr. Lang can be attested, that he didn't save any trouble. The result is, even if he gives us many details about his different kinds of honey, alarmingly superficial. Why? Later more on this.

But how must it be. The organic honey? It is "produced according international known rules for organic apiary" (4). Mr. Langs astonishing fluency in these kind of sentences changes very quickly into mere coast. But we'll have a look into his honey-booklet. You can find in his booklet a lot of reasonable and right things, often one is urged to respect it. Good for him! I thought myself again and again - only that I needed to start yawning. In an old edition of his honey-booklet (5) he started out from facts and facts of the cases and left many hollow spaces. In his new edition (6) however, he wants to start out from a central hollow space and this he wants to surround by facts and consider it from all sides. What he is telling about storage of honey is not altogether very bad: "In case honey is being stored in dark, cool and dry places, it will keep for several years according to kind, ph-factor and watercontent. The optimal temperature to store honey for a long time is 14°C" (7).

I only wouldn't recommend so many materials, for who preferably wants to store his honey in enamel, tinplate, black plate or sheet-steel?: "For storage of honey only the following materials must be used: glass, enamel, tinplate, varnished black plate or sheet-steel without rust. Not allowed is sheet-zinc because noxious zinc oxide can be the result. As well not suitable is sheet iron, because honey turns black, if it comes in contact with iron" (8). - But why do you want to be surprised about this inconsistancy? It is just the smallest of those which escaped from him. However, I promise to find out the reason for these inconsistancies (although I still don't know how?), if you listen to the following.

The faith in the idea of fulfillment of one's duty, the categorical imperative, the "seriosity" (see also letters on organic beekeeping part I) - These are his initial positions, the state as the highest form of an integrated whole of law and morality - That's what Mr. Lang is striving for, that's his aim and the central subject of his texts. If he gets the opportunity he refers to the minimum requirements of rules, especially EEC Regulation N° 2092/91; as a result of this, working closely according these minimum requirements is his most important step to improve the quality of his apiaries and his honey: "The results of the inquiry are being listed in the examination record of the quality management-handbook" (9). That's the reason why Mr. Lang would offer all his honey as "organic honey" in case he had not to deal with pressures inherent in the situation: "We try to improve the situation in principle to offer honey from certified organic apiaries" (10). In principle yes, - but? What's the matter with all the other apiaries and honey varieties? Does certification causes too many costs? He says: "The price of the honey would increase very much as a result of certification" (11) - What follows? Does his honey may get difficulties to compete with organic honey produced in Germany? Mr. Lang blows his own trumpet: "Honey of high quality is very much demanded; that's the reason why our exporters are able to sell their honey very easily. The additional "organic" lable imply almost no advantages for them" (12). However, there is the chemical analysis, thus why do I need this lable, he thinks himself: "In order to make an objective judgement about the honey and to cover the quality, we test the honey for sensorical and chemical-physical properties as well as residuals" (13).

Thus, the most important pillars of Mr. Langs system are the chemical analysis "to cover the quality" and if necessary the organic certification carried out by "BCS, the certifier of Allos" (14). This central hollow space - chemical analysis and certification according minimum requirements of the rules - he wants to surround by facts and consider it from all sides. What on earth is the matter with him? What does Mr. Lang mean by that? Is there any connection between this hollow space and beekeeping considering the character of bees? Not in the least. Nevertheless he insists on what he suppose to be important regarding honeyproduction - and this already for 25 years: It is honey production "according international known rules for organic apiaries (only use of organic remedies, natural materials, paintings without noxious compounds, hives sited in areas with almost no pollution). Annual inspection by independent certifiers" (15). What does it mean? It means that Mr. Lang is only interested in products free of residuals. The ways of beekeeping, especially if the character of bees is being considered, seems to be not so important to him. He is not concerned at all because the minimum requirements of the rules, according which he is being certified, mention this topic with no word.

Neither he was able to provoke or even stimulate the scientific world. - Regarding this matter I don't need to enter a debate on Mr. Kirsch or Mr. Grosch. I did it at other places (letters on organic beekeeping part I).

Mr. Lang, "one of the pioneers of natural food" (16) as he describes himself without getting tired, has an audience in the natural-food-szene. Here he is the darling of the public because he has withhold nothing from them and at the same time demand nothing. But how does it occur, this on a phenomenal misconception based "Allos" - fashion in German natural food stores? Is it the pseudophilosophical depth when he talks as a "specialist on honey and natural foods" (17) about the "wondergrain of the inkas" (18)?

A conjunction of keen perception with a certain limitedness, in fact even a finesse and such a surprising as well as disarming simplicity? It's not that he's conscious of it, it simply corresponds to the personality, the mentality of Mr. Lang. He wanted to make it clear straight out for his honey customers, how the world of honey basically was and how thoroughly Walter Lang was able to see through. This mentality, which naturally must get on the nerves of many people, especially his colleages, resulted in his lively and at the same time fussing morality; this striving to enlighten the people and always a little naive optimism, which incidentally didn't let itself be put off by any real developement and which obviously was approved by countless natural food customers (19). The extraordinary good success in natural food stores has reduced his selfcontrol regarding the important and unimportant in Beekeeping in a fatalful way. I consider this man to be senseless overrated.

Anyhow there is an increasing number of newcomers who are selling organic honey in the natural-food-scene: for instance Mr. Martin Evers. He only wants the best for his customers and this of course from "certified organic apiary" (20). He let us know some details:

"Martin Evers beekeeper's honey is your guarantee for real bio-honey! This means:" (21) -- Oh really? That I'd like to see!
 

	"The bees collect nectar in an intact surrounding - without industrial plants, motorways and without pesticides.
	During careful processing of honey no synthetic chemicals or bee remedies are being used.
	The queen's wings are not being clipped.
	The bees get enough own honey and pollen for overwintering.
	The apiary is being inspected and certified several times a year." (22).

"During careful processing of honey no synthetic chemicals or bee remedies are being used" (23). Did you ever have seen that synthetic chemical are being used during processing of honey? No single beekeeper get this idea. If this is the particular of an organic or bio-apiary, I indeed don't know what the particular of an organic apiary is!

"The queen's wings are not being clipped" (24). Correct, nevertheless he is withholding the truth: the queens are being artificially inseminated and the socalled queen rearing by grafting left its marks on the queen as well as the colony.

"The apiary is being inspected and certified several times a year" (25). I guess the inspectors are camping near the hives.

But who wants to infer the level of modern beeliterature or literature on organic beekeeping in Germany from the texts of Mr. Evers, would be thoughtless. This level is considerably higher.

Following the line of least resistance attracts successful honey sellers in a comprehensible as well as dangerous way; anyhow, Mr. Evers frowned upon it: Regarding his new attempt to sell his honey and to write advertising copies, routine can be hold against him not in the least. On the the contrary: while his other advertising copies or information texts are all too well known in the natural-food-scene, the new phraseology, with which Mr. Evers dares to take the first step on the honey market, gives more the impression of an announcement written by a very beginner, who is not being aware of his possibilities and limitations.

Briefly: Who wants to know more about beekeeping considering the character of bees as it is described in our courses and as it is claimed by leading institutes is, in respect of Mr. Lang and Mr. Evers, being knocking at the wrong door.

MT

(1) Schrot & Korn. Das Naturkostmagazin 6/2001, p. 2, Schaafheim/Germany
(2) Bindeler-Köllhofer, B., 2001: Cremiger Honig, ein Kinderspiel? ADIZ/Die Biene/Imkerfreund 6/2001, p. 14-15. Berlin/München, Germany.
(3) see note 1.
(4) Ibid.
(5) Walter Lang/Allos, 1995: Honigbroschüre. Mariendrebber, Germany.
(6) Walter Lang/Allos, 2001: Honigbroschüre. Mariendrebber, Germany.
(7) Ibid.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Ibid.
(10) Ibid.
(11) Ibid.
(12) Ibid.
(13) Ibid.
(14) Ibid.
(15) Schrot & Korn. Das Naturkostmagazin 6/1999, p. 18, Schaafheim/Germany. Regarding "independent certifiers" see also letters on organic beekeeping part II, #28ff. Bad Sooden, Germany.
(16) Schrot & Korn. Das Naturkostmagazin 7/1999, p. 16-17, Schaafheim/Germany.
(17) Ibid.
(18) Ibid.
(19) In the letters on organic beekeeping part I-III you may find from time to time a short note on those "organic moralizers". But please understand that I can't waste my time with those people. I really have better things to do than to enter a debate on who is the greater organic moralist, Mr. Lang or Mr. Evers?
(20) Schrot & Korn. Das Naturkostmagazin 10/2001, p. 55, Schaafheim/Germany.
(21) Ibid.
(22) Ibid.
(23) Ibid.
(24) Ibid.
(25) Ibid.
 
 

Thus, what kind of training do we offer now? A few days ago we discussed in more details honeyharvest and how to improve the quality of honey (1). Isn’t it any wonder that the requirements of EEC Regulation 2092/91, as far as quality of beeproduce is concerned, are diametrically opposite to the quality principles discussed in previous letters? And is it surprising that for Mr. Lang the term „Biohoney" or „organic honey" has got it’s clear definition by the organic rule? Well, now you know more about the next training field; on top of that we’ll look more closely into quality control and certification according EEC Regulation 2092/91, the Europien organic rule, because also for beekeepers it is to an increasing degree important to know about it. Later more on this.

But before again let’s have a look at a small leaflet published by Mr. Lang. In his Allos-honeyleaflet he says: „Allos - The specialist on Biohoney ... supports whole food and organic farming as well as organic beekeeping" (2). This big sentence Mr. Lang wanted to prove in order to drive his opponents and competitors on the honeymarket into a corner, if not all at once, so at least to brand them in a way that nobody were able to boast of being in a distance to ecology and the organic rule. The intention was excellent and worthy of an eager honeydealer. It’s just a pity that truth not always wants to bring herself to go the same direction of our good intentions. She doesn’t want to? - no, she has to of course; we know how to offer a proof. „Because" says Mr. Lang „all areas together are the basis for an intact environment and natural food" (3). There is the clear evidence and beautiful said with it. Now Mr. Lang wants to carry on: „In the EU-Bio-Regulation standard for organic beekeeping has been laid down by law since august 2000; thus, the term „Biohoney" is clearly defined since this date" (4). In the previous letters we got to know how little the terms „Biohoney"/ „organic honey" are being defined and how diametrically opposite the quality principles are. But Mr. Lang pushs us a definition underneath, which is considered to be clear and definite. – No human being is going to see it like that – but Mr. Lang infers from this his „pretension regarding organic quality" (5) and thats the reason why he has „worldwide a positive effect on the developement of the apiary" (6). Thus he thinks, and is creeping silently out of the paradoxy into the adjoining truth.

But instead of offering evidence that, without Allos, the „specialist on biohoney", no intact environment, natural food and organic beekeeping may be possible, he proves that at the place, where an intact environment is, we may expect to find the „specialist on biohoney" rather than at other places where it is not. He promised to prove something, and we were being all ears, but instead he proved something which doesn’t need a proof.

But let’s turn to a matter now which needs a proof. It is useful to keep an eye on the red rope, especially if the debate turns to „organic fraud", „bio-swindle" or „organic certifier", „eco-certification" or „organic lable". With an example from agriculture we can see the difficulties that might occur, in case certification has been carried out only according minimum requirements of the organic rule. More on this in the next days.

MT
 

(1)  Letters on organic beekeeping part II, # 26-27. Bad Sooden, Germany.
(2)  Allos/Walter Lang, 2001: Honigfibel mit Informationen und vielen Tips zum Thema Honig. Mariendrebber, Germany.
(3)  Ibid.
(4)  Ibid.
(5)  Ibid.
(6)  Ibid.
 
 

What’s the matter? Mr. Frühschütz and the most well known natural food magazine in Germany „Schrot&Korn" are telling us: „Hipp is in fact no natural-food project, but obviously the most important bio-enterprise of ‘normal’ industry and commerce. Therefore neither natural food customers nor a natural food magazine can hardly remain unmoved, if there is a fraud to great extent. Much less, ... if also a system of ‘internal quality control’, which is world-wide a pillar of bio-control systems, turned out to be completely unreliable"(1).

Thus how do the socalled organic certifiers (Oeko-Kontrollstellen) according the organic rule handle internal control in combination with external inspection? The following example deals with bananas and small farmer, but the same system apply also to honey and beekeepers - as the examples of Allos/Mr. Lang and Mr. Evers have shown it. What happened?

If it is true that „in the case of Hipp the control didn’t work and a big amount of non-organic bananas has been used for producing organic food for babies, the whole „organic" branch of industry is concerned" (3). - At least that „organic" branch which rely on minimum requirements of the organic rule and it’s certifiers. The control system which has been used in the above mentioned case „is being used by all international certifiers when they need to control a large amount of small farmers" (4).

However, the keyword is „internal" control system. „The quality of control is not suffering from internal control system, agree all certifiers" (5).

– Only, the inspectors of the internal sytem are being trained according EU-eco-regulation, the organic rule. What does it mean? The standard of training based on minimum requirements of the organic rule is considerably lower than that based on the requirements of private certifying organisations. A lot depends on it and it is decisive for the function of the system. What else is especially important? It is the training period at the beginning of the process so as to confirm beekeeping considering the character of bees in the heads and hearts of the beekeepers. This is the task of independent training centres. „Therefore it is useful to ask if the products of a supplier come from projects known for longlasting relationship or if they are bought together on the world market for organic produce" (6).

Thus what must come first? It takes priority to check if the inspectors of the internal system have been well trained for their task. A training for this task according the organic rule is especially in the fields of beeproduce completely insufficient. And if Mr. Grosch doesn’t understand it: thus I surely can’t help him; and I must allow him to chatter as long as he wants to and let him sack as many employees as he wants to. And truthfully his prattle (I don’t want to mention all his employees being sacked) causes real pity: as a governmental accredited certifier he assures: „BCS is the only German certifier accredited according EN 45011/ISO 65 and is able to offer concrete evidence of the correct reality" (7).

It is almost not surprising that „problems may occur" (8). This shows the example of Mr. Hipp and Mr. Grosch explains Mr. Frühschütz: „The manager of Hipp-branch Trobanex has been fired in springtime 2000, because he had lined more than one million DM in his own pockets. If, in the face of such criminal energy, the internal control system, which had been put into work by this manager, was working correctly, is questionable. Finally, each banana, he delivered to Hipp, worked as well for him. Peter Grosch, the leader of the certifying agent BCS Öko-Garantie who is responsible for the Hipp-project, says, he has inspected the internal control system regulary, as well as each new supplier. For Mr. Grosch it is a proof of the function of the control system that 40 to 50 farmers had been excluded because of the use of chemicals" (9). – Thus it is all just a battle of words? Mr. Grosch would like to see it like that. I won’t beginn a battle of words with the author of „The ‘bio-swindle’, a statement" (10). Because it is no battle or twisting of words anymore, if you can show that the misuse of words lead to real mistakes.

However, one never knows where one is with him; because this error is just passing over to a bigger one. Listen how the story carries on: „More criticizm has been carried out by the Europien Union. She had sent out auditors to Costa Rica in Novembre 2000, to inspect the local control system. What did they find out regarding the BCS-office? In the report they are talking about ‘poor documentation’ of the system and other more severe mistakes in the documents. Peter Grosch admits that the office in Costa Rica had been organised badly. But the largest part of the documents is not altogether too bad and still existing but at first nobody could find them naturally. Peter Grosch supplies evidence of his innocence by telling ‘BCS is growing, therefore not always everything was as it should be’" (11).

All his proofs and statements are being casted in a rather strange mould anyway. Let me tell only a few words of one single statement.

Basically he is not against criticizm. This showns his praising of the magazine „Schrot &Korn": he says that he „has regarded this newspaper as a lively and critical, as a sound, provocative voice of the scene" (12), although he „certainly didn’t agree with everything" (13). Nevertheless, he doesn’t mind to sing the praises of this magazine: „It doesn’t change my mind that this ‘authority’ S&K is simply good and always uptodate. It is not easy to become better, because you are already good: to keep uptodate means developing together, get something going and stimulate so as to make visible of what is behind... with courage, general knowledge and visions!" (14) – Mr. Gosch agrees with their method of „making visible of what is behind" unless this criticizm is not concerning his person and writings. Is it the case that he is being criticized, we have to expect another edition of his kind of proofs and statements - to be continued later (15).

MT
 

(1)  Frühschütz, L., 2001: „Max" und die Bio-Bananen. Schrot & Korn. Das Naturkostmagazin 11/2001, p. 49-52, Schaafheim/Germany.
(2)  Letters on organic beekeeping part II, # 25ff. Bad Sooden, Germany.
(3)  See note 1.
(4)  Ibid.
(5)  Ibid. More on control systems see courses on organic beekeeping #03, part I and courses for certifiers #25. Bad Sooden, Germany.
(6)  Ibid.
(7)  Peter Grosch/BCS ÖKO-GARANTIE, 2001: ‚ Der Bio-Schwindel’ in der Zeitschrift MAX vom 6.9.2001, Stellungnahme. BCS-Mitteilung vom 08.09.01, Nürnberg, Germany.
(8)  See note 1.
(9)  Ibid.
(10)  See note 7.
(11)  See note 1.
(12)  Schrot & Korn. Das Naturkostmagazin 9/2000, Grußworte, Schaafheim/Germany.
(13)  Ibid.
(14)  Ibid.
(15)  See note 2, letters part II, # 30.
 
 
 

Copyright © Centre for Ecological Apiculture