1997 – September 3rd at Antwerp, Belgium

9th IHEO Meeting

This IHEO Congress brought 43 delegates of 10 countries together, and the U.S. as observer again through the National Honey Board.

The big delegation of the P.R. of China was a surprise, also attended Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Cuba, India (for the first time) Mexico, New Zealand and Uruguay.

The world honey price went from a peak of US$2.000 TM early 1996, down to US$1.300, - TM in 1997, always CFR ( known before as C&F)

For the following day a meeting together with the members of the FEEDM (the European Honey Packers and Traders Federation) had been planned with the participation of importers, agents and some honey technicians and chemical specialists. The following day, during the meeting with FEEDM, the WHTO (World Honey Trade Organization ) was founded, by 55 : 1 votes and is formed by 7 members, among Importers, Exporters and Agents. We wish them a lot of luck.

Mr. Rumball was confirmed for 2 more years as president of the IHEO and Argentina accepted to be Secretary till 1999, this mainly to avoid the collection of a fee for country members to cover a deficit for travel and administrative expenses.

Also 2 changes in the Constitution were accepted :

A country membership will be canceled if it fails to give at least 3 market reports during each calendar year.

Each country will have at least 1 (one) vote in the general assembly and an additional vote for each exported 10.000 TM.