The eradication of unwanted alien plants as a government initiative was welcomed by beekeepers as an environmental clean up of plants which were threatening our indigenous plant populations. A problem, however, occurred when some nectar rich sources were targeted and removed. The blue gum was such an example.

The value of the Blue Gum (eucalyptus) for bee populations in South Africa is enormous.  Not only in the plantations of Natal and Mpumalanga but also in the Western Cape where the scattered trees provide forage for bees and keep colonies alive so they can service the orchards and pollinate them in the Spring.

SABIO appointed a committee and working group to investigate the problem and after an independent study by the CSIR it was decided that Gums were not as invasive as originally thought. At present legislation is changing is South Africa and the Cara list is being superceded by the Nemba Act. 

An attached Cara List indicates the degree of invasiveness of plant in South Africa.  SABIO needs to ensure that sanity prevails when the eradication of these plants occur to ensure that plants that are not seriously invasive are not removed indiscrimately if they have a nectar value for bee colonies.