Since its ambitious founding on February 10, 2024, the European Beekeeping Association (EBA) has rapidly evolved from a fledgling organization into the definitive voice for bees, beekeepers, and consumers across the continent. Headquartered in Slovenia– a country famous for it’s beekeeping tradition – the association spent its first two years of operation dismantling the barriers that previously left the beekeeping sector fragmented. By strategically waiving membership fees through 2025, the EBA fostered an unprecedented level of inclusivity, allowing a diverse tapestry of national organizations (62 organisations from 32 countries) to unite under a single banner. This growth was not merely numerical; it was foundational, creating a central European platform representing more than 420 thousand beekeepers at the moment, capable of challenging major threats that undermine the foundations of beekeeping.
At the heart of the EBA’s mission is a fierce commitment to the integrity of the honey market. The association has moved beyond simple advocacy, actively embedding itself within the halls of the European Commission and the European Parliament. Through the Honey Platform and direct engagement with DG AGRI and both the EU commission and the EU parliament members, the EBA has fought for rigorous standards and sophisticated traceability systems. These efforts reached a historic milestone in 2026 when the EBA successfully secured the regulatory framework for direct subsidies per hive. This achievement marks a revolutionary shift in European policy, finally recognizing and compensating beekeepers for the invaluable pollination services their bees provide to the ecosystem.
The EBA is powered by its specialized scientific committees, which tackle everything from bee health to the complexities of apitherapy and quality of bee products, all whilst promoting beekeeping amongst youth. By publishing articles and hosting high-level webinars on major problems facing beekeeping (fake honey, invasive hornets), the association ensures that European beekeepers are armed with the best possible data. EBA’s vigilance extends to the environment as well, as they have consistently lobbied against the deregulation of pesticides and the rise of harmful substances like acetamiprid.
Beyond the technical and political, the EBA recognises public engagement and international solidarity as one of it’s main goals . Through the publication of the “No Bees, No Life” magazine and the widespread “Europeans Choose European Honey” campaign, the association has bridged the gap between the apiary and the consumer. EBA’s presence is felt at major global events, from sponsoring the International Honey Commission symposium and being involved in the panel on the problematic of fake honey to partnering with organizations like Apimondia and Kings of Mead. Whether standing in solidarity with beekeepers in France and Greece during times of crisis or pushing back against the EU-Mercosur agreement, the EBA has proven that these first two years were just the beginning of a long-term movement to protect the soul of European agriculture.
EBA is inviting all european beekeeping organisations to become members and fight fort he cause – free of charge!
