The results of the work of the European Beekeeping Association are visible!
Today marks the 8th International Beekeeping Day, at which the EBA leadership met with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Mr. Christopher Hansen – Subsidies for bee colonies in Europe are being introduced!
One of the main goals of the Slovenian Beekeeping Association for 20 years and one of the main goals of the European Beekeeping Association – it was obviously necessary to establish the EBA in order to achieve that goal, is for Europe to recognize the importance of bees as pollinators and to allow direct financial support for bee colonies.
Today, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food announced the fantastic news that he had listened to the beekeepers of the European Beekeeping Association and that the EU Commission had already prepared amendments for 14 May and that subsidies per hive are being introduced as part of the agri-environmental measures!
This news from today’s meeting is truly a ray of hope for the beekeeping sector in Europe, which is in a difficult situation.
Numerous letters from the European Beekeeping Association in the last year and numerous meetings with high-ranking representatives of European politics and, above all, the understanding of the problem by the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food have brought results.
The Commissioner thanked President EBA Boštjan Noč, highlighting the importance of Slovenian beekeeping as a shining example for the whole of Europe and the world.
He highlighted the importance of pollinators, which play a key role in ensuring a high-quality food supply and a diverse range of essential nutrients.
“Despite all these challenges, the EU remains the second largest honey producer in the world, and the number of beekeepers and hives has remained relatively stable over the last 5 years. The CAP or Common Agricultural Policy is an important instrument to support the protection of bees and pollinators through environmentally friendly agricultural practices. We have a specific budget of €60 million per year dedicated to the beekeeping sector, from which Slovenia also benefits,” the Commissioner pointed out.
“Until now, beekeeping support has been paid mainly per hectare. We propose to allow Member States to provide support per hive.
Finally, I know that beekeepers, and consumers too, are concerned about honey fraud. Consumers also want to know where their honey comes from. We have recently tightened the rules on the labelling of honey and on ensuring the quality and authenticity of honey. We have also stepped up our work on analysis to detect the adulteration of honey with sugar syrups and created a honey platform to help us in this work,” said the Commissioner.
The Commissioner also announced fantastic news: marketing funds were also approved at the EBA’s request, financial support for the promotion and investment in the marketing of bee products, highlighting the importance of building trust on a solid foundation between producers and consumers. The Commissioner highlighted the importance of bee products, not only honey, but also other products.
The Commissioner pointed out the need to continue working together to protect our pollinators, support our beekeepers and ensure a sustainable future for agriculture.
“Together we can make a difference and ensure a brighter future for generations to come,” said the Commissioner.
The President of the European Beekeeping Association, Boštjan Noč, concluded the meeting by summarizing the most important segments of the meeting, thanking the Commissioner for his support and efforts in achieving a goal that includes 20 years of struggle of the Beekeeping Association of Slovenia and the European Beekeeping Association—it was obviously necessary to establish the EBA in order to achieve that goal.
Thank you to everyone who supported the EBA in this initiative.
“We, at the EBA, continue to work even more determinedly towards achieving the other goals of the EBA, for bees, beekeepers and consumers in Europe”, said Boštjan Noč, President of the EBA.
Boštjan Noč
President of the European Beekeeping Association and
President of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association
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