Boštjan Noč was born in 1974 in Žirovnica, less than a kilometre away from the birthplace of one of the most renowned beekeepers Anton Janša. I practically grew up with bees, as beekeeping has been a tradition in the Noč family for several generations. I have been keeping bees since I was 13 years old, when I started with five bee colonies. At the age of 18, I was already responsible for over 80 colonies. As years passed, their numbers grew steadily, and in 2024, I prepared almost 400 honeybee colonies for winter. In my beekeeping practice, I exclusively use AŽ-beehives and Carniolan honeybees. I produce various types of honey, pollen, propolis, wax, foodstuffs from bee products, sparkling honey wine, cosmetics from bee products, etc. In recent years, I have been placing great emphasis on the production of European-protected Slovenian honey with a protected geographical indication in the top-quality scheme and on the gift programme of bee products.

In 2002, I tried myself in a more “official” role for the first time, as I was one of the initiators for the establishment of the Upper Gorenjska Beekeepers’ Association (later renamed to Gorenjska Beekeepers’ Association), becoming its first-ever president. In 2004, I became the vice president of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, and in 2007 its president. I have been presiding over it for more than 17 years.

These 17 years were marked by joint projects of Slovenian beekeepers, such as World Bee Day, the placement of Slovenian beekeeping on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, Slovenian food day,  national and European honey breakfast, glass for bee products of Slovenian beekeepers, Slovenian honey drink bottle, uniform honey labels and stickers, promotion of beekeeping and the increase in annual honey consumption to more than 2 kg per Slovene (statistical data from the honey breakfast survey, which represents a doubling of honey consumption in 10 years), honey price increase (when entering the EU, the highest price on the market for beekeepers was little over EUR 3.00 (SIT 900) for 900 g – currently the price is around EUR 15.00), various free training programmes for beekeepers, numerous free courses for beginners, national apitherapy license, national beekeeper license, beekeeping as an elective subject in primary schools,  numerous promotional lectures for the general public and training for beekeepers, apitourism (certified beekeeping tourism), Apimedica & Apiquality 2010, ApiSlovenija Celje, organisation of international professional conferences, renovation of old beehives, publication of numerous professional publications (monograph on Slovenian beekeeping, the book Veliki ljudje slovenskega čebelarstva (Slovenian Beekeeping Greats), etc.) and films, participation in fairs such as AGRA with a beekeeping day, training disabled people in wheelchairs in a modified learning apiary and by issuing a  beekeeping manual, introducing beekeeping for people with special needs, evaluating honey and honey drinks, planting honey plants – the well-received project Preserve bees – »We reap what we sow« (project of planting buckwheat, sunflowers and pumpkins), planting linden and other honey trees in each municipality, at the birth of a child…, obtained EU protection for Slovenian honey with a protected geographical indication, promotion of quality schemes, fighting against systemically harmful pesticides for bees and joint success in this area together with MKGP, when we were the first in the EU to ban neonicotinoids, beekeeping classes and competitions for young beekeepers at the national and international level, setting-up of more than 30 educational apiaries at schools, issuing promotional and educational materials, providing co-financing for beekeeping equipment and co-financing for queen breeders, research and development work of ČZS, implementation of a concession for the Public Advisory Service in beekeeping, observation and forecasting service for honeydew secretion and breeding programmes, construction and establishment of a beekeeping library at ČZS, establishment of a laboratory at ČZS, construction of a beekeeping learning trail next to the Beekeeping Centre of Slovenia, which is adapted also for the blind and visually impaired, issuance of the World Bee Day coin, the 20 bees silver coin, setting up a memorial for the Carniolan honeybee and opening the House of the Carniolan honeybee in Višnja Gora, renovation of the commemorative Anton Janša plaque in Vienna and the addition of a new one in Slovenian language, handover of an apiary to the Pope in the Vatican, setting up apiaries for the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, at the UN headquarters in New York, in Trieste, Austrian Carinthia and Hungary, installation of educational apiaries for the purpose of providing education and training of beekeepers in several regions, a 3D Carniolan honeybee measuring almost 1 metre, design of a honey story pavilion, VR beekeeping applications and many others.  At my initiative, the state of Slovenia proposed to the EU an amendment to the honey labeling directive, namely that every jar of honey must have an accurate indication of the honey’s origin. This was also adopted by the European Parliament in April 2024.

I have written two books, the book Rojen za čebele (Born for Bees) and the manual Dobra čebelarska praksa (Good Beekeeping Practice), and I was one of the three main authors of the book Brez čebel ne bo življenja (Without Bees There Will Be No Life).

I am the initiator and the first representative of a consortium of European-protected Slovenian food products and products.

I am also a beekeeping lecturer on the following topics:

• Breeding queens for non-commercial use and basic selection in the Boštjan NOČ beehive
• Beekeeping in AŽ-beehives up to the first pasture, forming spare families and adding queens
• Beekeeping throughout the year with an emphasis on interrupting the egg laying phase and facilitating the management of varroa mites
• Slovenian beekeeping
• Good beekeeping practice
• Pollen extraction technology

 

 

I have received numerous accolades for my work, such as:

 

• International Golden Bee Award (2022)
• all highest decorations of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association – 1st, 2nd and 3rd class Anton Janša Award,
• medal of merit from the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor (2018) – for contribution to the development of beekeeping and sustainable agriculture and to maintaining balance in nature,
• protocol flag of the Republic of Slovenia – awarded by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor (2017),
• Silver medal at Apimondia 2017 in Turkey as co-author of the book No Bees, No Life
• title of honorary citizen of the municipality of Žirovnica (2018),
• plaque from the municipality of Žirovnica (2012),
• title of ambassador of the municipality of Ivančna Gorica (2022)
• miniature Janša beehive (2005) – the highest award of the Upper Gorenjska Beekeeping Association,
• Beekeeper of the Year award of the Upper Gorenjska Beekeeping Association (2015),
• plaque from the Gorenjska Beekeeping Association (2015)
• the highest award of the Beekeeping Association of Serbia (2011),
• plaque of the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia for Volunteering (2011),
• Knight of the Bee Queen Award (2011), awarded by the Italian NGO U.C.E.P.E,
• Golden Glavar award of the Peter Pavle Glavar Regional Association (2021),
• Crystal Triglav – award of the Slovenian Travel Press association for remarkable achievements in tourism (2018),
• plaque of Filip Terč for help and efforts in legalizing apitherapy (2017),
• Pislak award – Association of Professional Beekeepers of Slovenia (2018),
• Special UPU PGŽ award – for helping those affected by the earthquake in Banovina (2021)

He was born on February 20, 1973 in Aleksinac. He lives in Žitkovac near Aleksinac. He finished elementary school in Žitkovac, and high school in science and mathematics in Aleksinac. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Nis. He completed his specialization in epidemiology in July 2008 at the Faculty of Medicine in Niš, i.e. Institute for Public Health. He also completed the Apitherapy Course (March 2007) organized by the Ministry of Health of Bulgaria and the Balkan Beekeeping Federation.

He is the head of the Department of Home Treatment, Health Care and Epidemiology at the Health Center in Aleksinac. He was the director of the Aleksinac Health Center from December 31, 2014 to December 5, 2023. He is the president of the Committee for Protection against Hospital Infections of the Health Center Aleksinac. He is the head of the Smoking Cessation Counseling Center, which works within the Epidemiology Department of the Aleksinac Health Center. He is the coordinator of environmental protection affairs at the Aleksinac Health Center and head of the Medical Waste Management Team. He is the leader of the Environment Team within the accreditation process of the Aleksinac Health Center, as well as the Management Team. He is a volunteer member of the Committee for Protection against Hospital Infections of the Gerontological Center “Jelenac”, Home for Adults “Kulina” and General Hospital Aleksinac. He has been a reserve second lieutenant of the Medical Service of the Serbian Army since 2001.

He has two children with his wife Tanja, daughter Mladjana and son Andrija.

He has been raising bees since 1992. Beekeepers of Farrar’s hives. Since 2013, he is the owner of the Registered Agricultural Farm “Bosa” (RPG 700991001137).
He is the author of four beekeeping books “Contemporary Principles of Beekeeping 1 and 2” (2000, 2001), “How to Profit from Beekeeping” (2002) and “Handbook of Good Beekeeping Practice” (2007), with a total circulation of 5,900 copies. He is the editor and co-author of six beekeeping books: “Regulations in beekeeping with comments” (2013), “Quality standard <Good beekeeping practice>” (2014), “Beekeeping for the future” (2002), “Proceedings of the Second Congress of Beekeepers of Serbia” (2002), “Proceedings from the Second State Beekeeping Fair” (2010) and “Proceedings from the Seminar <Meeting Bees and Spring> (2014)”, and co-author of two books on pediatrics “Pediatric Reader” (2003) and “Neonatological guide” (2008). He is currently writing the fifth book: “New methods of beekeeping”.
He is also the co-author of two popular brochures for increasing the consumption of bee products “Honey – miraculous food and medicine for a healthier age” (2004) and “Honey – Ice” (2005), which were printed in a total circulation of over 1,000,000 copies.
He is the co-author of the brochure “Effective control of varroa with formic and oxalic acid” (2003) published by the Veterinary Specialist Institute from Niš. He is also the co-author of the brochure “Bee products – food and medicine” (1998). Until October 5, 2016, he held 406 beekeeping lectures attended by 32,310 beekeepers (Serbia – 328, Bosnia and Herzegovina – 30, Montenegro – 16, Croatia (EU) – 17, Slovenia (EU) – 9, Macedonia – 5, Russian Federation -2).
He is a two-time winner of Professor Živanović’s Diploma (1999, 2002), the highest award of the Association of Beekeeping Organizations of Serbia (SPOS), holder of the Gold Medal and the title of Meritorious Beekeeper of SPOS (2007). He also won the Charter of the Association of Beekeeping Organizations of Serbia for the development of beekeeping with a statuette (2007), on the occasion of the celebration of 110 years since the founding of the Association. He is also the recipient of the Memorandum of Gratitude of the Regional Association of Beekeeping Organizations of Southeast Serbia (2007). He is also the winner of a number of awards from beekeeping associations from Serbia and abroad.
On February 15, 2014, he was awarded a Gold Medal by the President of the Republic of Serbia for merits in beekeeping, and until then he was the only one in the history of Serbia who was awarded a state award for merits in the field of beekeeping.
He is an honorary member of Matica Beekeepers Association from Niš (2005). He was the editor of the beekeeping magazine Matica (October 1998 – March 1999), published by the Association of Beekeepers Matica from Niš, as well as the editor-in-chief of the magazine Pčelar (March 2004 – July 2007) and acting editor of the same in July 2014, which is published by SPOS, and in which he published more than 90 texts from 1993 until today. In the earlier period, he was also a member of the editorial staff of the magazine Pčelar (January 2001 – January 2003). He has been the supervisor of the production of the magazine Pčelar (now Srpski pčelar) since March 2008. He was a member of the editorial staff of the Slovenian beekeeping magazine “Slovenski čebelar” since January 2010. He cooperates or has cooperated with other beekeeping magazines, such as Melitagora, Pčelarstvo, Hrvatska pčela and Beogradski pčelar. He also collaborated with the Niš Narodni novine (2002), as well as with the Aleksinic biweekly Reč radnaka (since 2002), publishing articles on beekeeping.

He is the author of the script for the DVD film “Health from the Beehive” about the use of bee products in nutrition, prevention and treatment of diseases, which was published by SPOS in 2009 in 10,000 copies. He also participated in a TV show for the popularization of bee products as an apitherapist, which was presented on DVD to its customers since 2007 by the company for buying and processing honey Cmana promet (now Medino) from Krnjevo.

He was an expert associate of the Serbian computer magazine Svet komputera (July 1991 – May 1993). He also published articles in the only professional magazine for plant protection in FR Yugoslavia, Biljni lekar (1999), published by the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad.

He was also the SPOS coordinator for cooperation with state authorities (2007), a member of the SPOS Marketing Commission (2004 – 2006), v. d. president of the Regional Association of Beekeeping Organizations of Southeast Serbia (April 2004 – July 2005), member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Queen Beekeepers from Niš (March 1998 – December 1999), president of the Commission for Health Protection of the Association of Queen Beekeepers from Niš (1997, 1998, and president of the Commission for SPOS bee health care (2010). He was the chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Second Beekeepers Congress (2002) and a member of the Third Beekeepers Congress of Serbia (2005). He was the technical organizer of 23 international professional seminars (2002 – 2022). association of beekeeping organizations of Southeast Serbia. He was the president of the Organizational Committee of all 15 State Beekeeping Fairs with international participation in the organization of SPOS (2009-2023). He was a member of the official delegation of SPOS at the 39th (Dublin, Ireland) 41st (Montpellier, France), 42nd (Buenos Aires, Argentina), 43rd (Kiev, Ukraine), 44th (Daejeon, South Korea) and 45th (Istanbul, Turkey) Congress of the International Beekeeping Federation Apimondia. He was a member of the special International Committee for the organization of the 3rd Apimondia International Forum on Apitherapy and the 2nd Apimondia International Forum on Apiquality, which took place in Slovenia from September 28 to October 2, 2010. He was the president of the local organizing committee of the Symposium of the world beekeeping organization Apimondia “APIECOTECH”, which was held on February 18 and 19, 2012 in Belgrade, in the Sava Center, organized by Apimondia and SPOS.
He was a member of the Working Group for Animal Husbandry of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Serbia (2013-2014).
He was a member of Negotiating Group 12 (food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary issues) for Serbia’s negotiations with the European Union (2014-2017).
He was a member of Working Group 6 of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) for the negotiation chapter 8 “Competition Policy” (2014-2017).
He was a member of the Operational Staff of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for coordinating the implementation of measures to combat the illegal production and trade of honey, honey-based preparations and other bee products (2016-2017).
He is a member of the Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection for the expert assessment of the special properties of agricultural and food products and determining the fulfillment of the conditions for using the quality label “Serbian quality” (2017).
He was a member of the Working Group of the Veterinary Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection for amending the Rulebook on the quality of honey and other bee products (2017).

He is the president of the Aleksinac Beekeepers Association (since March 2000). By creating appropriate positive conditions, he managed to turn the long-standing wish of the beekeepers of his municipality into reality. On November 14, 2007, the municipality of Aleksinac was declared the first beekeeping municipality in Serbia. In 2014, a joint project of the Aleksinac Beekeepers Association, the municipality of Aleksinac and the municipal tourism organization OTIS established the first Serbian “Honey Route” right on the territory of the municipality of Aleksinac.

He was the vice president of the Serbian Apitherapy Society and a member of the Professional Council of the Serbian Apitherapy Society since 2007.
He is the vice-president of the Regional Association of Beekeepers of Southeast Serbia for education and marketing (since July 2005).
As the president of SPOS, he did a lot in the fight for the quality of honey on the Serbian market, from 2008 until today. In the fight for the quality of honey, he was exposed to threats, but in the end, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Interior, he managed to fight in 2011 even for the closure of the company Irikom from Batajnica, which was putting honey on the market that did not meet Rulebook on the quality of honey and other bee products. The same company later received a license to work again, and in 2014, through a tender, marketed its honey even in the restaurants of the Government of Serbia and the Assembly of Serbia, and after its application, it was determined that the honey was defective again and it was withdrawn. He also fought for the arrest of one of the biggest Serbian honey counterfeiters.

He was the deputy president of the Advisory Agricultural Association of the Nišava District from December 2009, and later a member of its Executive Board. He was the marketing manager and authorized representative for foreign and domestic trade of the Production and Trade Company Cmana Promet from Krnjevo (October 2007 – January 2008).

He was a member of the Working Group of the Plant Protection Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Republic of Serbia for the review of the status of preparations from the group of neonicotinoids for the treatment of sunflower seeds with a mandate from July to December 2008.
He is a member of the Sector Council for the Agriculture, Food Production, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary Sector of the Accreditation Agency of the Republic of Serbia (since March 2024).
He is a member of the Board of Directors of NALED (National Alliance for Local Economic Development) since March 2024.

Since February 2008, he has been the president of the Association of Beekeeping Organizations of Serbia (SPOS) for six terms.

He is one of the 204 honorary winners of the new Serbian passport on the occasion of the 204th year of Serbian statehood (2008), due to the successful presentation of Serbian beekeeping abroad and as the youngest president of SPOS of all time.

USAID, an independent agency of the US Government, chose him, within the field of “Agricultural Cooperatives and Associations”, as one of the ten most successful directors of cooperatives, presidents of associations and presidents of management boards in the field of agriculture in Serbia in 2009, and sent him to three-week professional training in the USA in May 2009, which he successfully completed and received a certificate.

LEDIB, the Danish organization for the local economic development of the Balkans, organized a training for him on Danish soil in 2010, where he got acquainted with the agricultural advisory service of Denmark and its functioning.

JICA, the Japanese Agency for International Development, chose him as one of the five representatives of Serbian agriculture and in February and March 2013, organized training on Japanese soil, on how the Japanese market works and how to market Serbian agricultural products to Japan, in accordance with their legislation. After his return, he trained all interested Serbian honey packers, and gave them the necessary knowledge to perform on the demanding and specific Japanese market.

He is the holder of the CISCO certificate (2009) on completed training within the “iExec Business Essentials v.3.0” course, which is dedicated to training in the use of modern information technologies and the Internet in business, and effective and efficient clustering.

From March 13, 2014, he was the first official advisor for beekeeping in Serbia, in the Agricultural Advisory Service of Nišava District “Agrozem d.o.o.”.

In April 2012, he completed the training “LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVING GOALS IN A TIME OF RAPID CHANGES”, LEADERSHIP 2 (Consulting/Training/Coaching), under the direction of Milan Valčić, a manager from the USA.

Jorge Spiteri

Date of birth: 08/07/1990 Nationality: Maltese Phone number:

(+356) 79900684 (Mobile) Email address: peritjspiteri@gmail.com

Address: Safi, Triq Dun Spir Gauci, MXR 1361, Il-Munxar, Gozo, Malta (Home)

WORK EXPERIENCE

23/02/2020 – CURRENT Victoria, Gozo, Malta

ARCHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER MINISTRY FOR GOZO

(a) Inspecting and executing construction/embellishment projects at various sites of work, carried out by

direct labour or through a private contractor, with a view to monitor the progress of works against time

frames, the quality of work and possible cost savings;

(b) Coordinate, supervise and provide project management support on various ongoing works;

(c) Liaising with superiors on the efficient deployment of direct labour, and assisting in the management of

technical staff and in the location of adequate resources;

(d) Identifying and prioritizing projects, as well as drawing up method statements, including carrying out

architectural surveys and deterioration mapping, designing restoration interventions and drawing up

specialised restoration tenders, including specifications and bills of quantities for execution of restoration

and civil engineering projects as necessary;

(e) Preparation and submittal of PA applications when necessary;

(f) Site supervision of restoration and civil engineering works carried out both by the Ministry’s workforce

and private contractors.

13/11/2019 – 13/02/2020 Floriana, Malta

JUNIOR ARCHITECT AND PROJECTS COORDINATOR ARCHDIOCESE OF MALTA,

i. Create designs and highly detailed drawings both by hand and by using specialist software;

ii. Work around constraining factors such as planning legislation, environmental impact and project budget,

subsequently adapt plans according to circumstances and seek to resolve any problems that may arise

during tasks/projects implementation;

iii. Assist in the control of tasks/projects from start to finish to ensure high quality, innovative and functional

design;

iv. Monitor the progress of work to ensure that the tasks/projects’ expectations, goals and milestones are

achieved against established time frames, the quality standards, budgets and possible cost savings;

v. Carry out site supervision of works to check on project status and report on project/s, as well as ensure

related paper works are as per legal regulations for obtaining construction permission;

vi. Working with local building regulations, zoning and other applicable laws;

vii. Plan and prepare applications for building permits and agreements;

viii. Draw tender documents including preparation of technical specifications and bills of quantities for the

execution of projects as necessary;

ix. Write and present reports, proposals, applications and contracts specifying the requirements for the

tasks/projects, as well as produce schematic, design development and construction documents;

x. Cooperate and liaise with construction professionals and local government officials;

xi. Play a vital role in project and team management;

xii. Ensure that all works are carried out to specific standards, building codes, guidelines and regulations;

29/10/2017 – 28/10/2019 Floriana, Malta

PLANNING OFFICER PLANNING AUTHORITY

▪ Processing applications for development permission including preparing draft reports with

recommendations for the Director of Planning and the Planning Commission Board as appropriate, and

presentation of applications before the Planning Commission as necessary.

▪ Preparing statements on requests for re-considerations and appeals.

1 / 8▪ Preparing and assisting in the preparation and implementation of planning studies, plans, policies,

reports, documents, surveys, data collation, mapping, information analysis and advice relating to any

planning issue or matter concerned with the functions of the EUSPU.

▪ Attending to meetings of the Authority, committees, public meetings, exhibitions, site meetings or other

functions in support of or representing the Director of Planning.

▪ Maintaining all necessary case files, reports and system updated on Planning Authority database.

▪ Investigating complaints and alleged breaches of conditions imposed in development permits and drafting

of relative responses to complaints.

▪ Preparing reports, taking photographs and compiling site history including maintaining, up-to-date

procedural and statistical information.

▪ Carrying out relation subsidiary and ancillary tasks within the normal flexibility of the job.

▪ Giving advice and conducting discussions/negotiations on appropriate measures to rectify/regularise

position with those potentially in breach of planning control.

30/06/2016 – 22/10/2017 Santa Venera, Malta

JUNIOR ARCHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER (REGIONAL ENGINEER) TRANSPORT MALTA

▪ Issuing of permits RWP1/2/3 and giving reinstatement conditions.

▪ Managing various contracts/contractors for the maintenance works required in Arterial and Distributor

roads.

▪ Managing various contracts/contractors for the construction works of new residential roads.

▪ Preliminary site visits to assess the viability of the proposed work.

▪ Site inspections with contractors to devise the optimum program of works/ traffic management.

▪ Construction site inspections to certify progress of works/ quality of works

▪ Give instructions to contractors for civil works especially in case of unforeseen situations.

▪ Carry out necessary surveys before, during and after works.

▪ Issue certificates of payment.

▪ Preparation of necessary permit applications.

▪ Meet with various stakeholders especially local councils before and during the works.

▪ Managing team members for better work efficiency.

▪ Preparation of quotes/tenders for procurement purposes.

▪ Work closely with quantity surveyors to certify works and issue certificates of payment.

▪ Evaluate proposals put forward from various stakeholders.

▪ Propose alternative solutions for implementation of works.

▪ Preparation of Variation requests.

▪ Ensuring that all policies, procedures, and quality assurance standards are followed;

31/03/2016 – 30/06/2016 Santa Venera

GRADUATE ARCHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER TRANSPORT MALTA

Design/Planning of Budget committed roads particularly Vjal ix-Xarolla and Triq il-Kuccard, Zurrieq and Safi

including:

▪ Devising key objectives for project

▪ Organising/leading meetings with various stakeholders

▪ Solving already encountered problems through discussions followed up with amended proposals

▪ Work closely with draughtsperson and quantity surveyor for the preparation of working drawings and

preliminary estimates

▪ Compile Procurement documents

▪ Organising/Leading public reach out sessions with senior manager

22/03/2015 – 31/03/2016

GRADUATE ARCHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER TRANSPORT MALTA EU POST

▪ Document checking and coordination with regards to bills, drawings, reports…;

▪ Attending to progress/design weekly meetings on site/ at the office;

▪ Attending to internal meetings to take important decisions as a team;

▪ Consulting with RID consultants;

▪ Preparing drawings/ MEMOs/ Tender document for official submission;

▪ Participating as a member of tendering committee;

▪ Site visits and inspections for progress monitoring, general complaints, traffic management, and design

issues;

▪ Preparing Certificate of Payments;

▪ Preparing and submitting of applications for new services;

▪ Corresponding with various stakeholders;

▪ Providing required assistance to the project quantity surveyor and CAD technicians;

2 / 8▪ Ensuring that all policies, procedures, and quality assurance standards are followed;

▪ Assisting with the documentation of policies and procedures whilst recommending changes;

▪ Cost analysis and estimate drafting;

▪ Checking daily works, non-conformance, traffic management reports, and programme of works;

▪ Logging distribution of drawings, plans, photographs, and other works contract data;

▪ MEPA research and documentation;

▪ Sharing of knowledge from experience and studies on software;

▪ Keeping team members updated with project issues.

21/11/2013 – 30/12/2014 Ħaż-Żabbar, Malta

ARCHITECT AND CIVIL ENGINEER TRAINEE PERIT RONALD MUSCAT AZZOPARDI

Office, site work, consultation and submission of applications including:

▪ Site analysis

▪ Architectural design schematics and development

▪ Structural/ civil design

▪ MEPA meetings, research, documentation

▪ Meetings with clients and consultants

▪ Bills of quantities

▪ Cost analysis/ estimates

▪ Site visits, inspections, and reports

▪ Quantity measurements

▪ Land or building survey/ report

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

26/01/2023 – 26/04/2023 Malta

AWARD IN CONCEPTS FOR THE DECARBONISATION OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY BICC

Website https://bca.org.mt/bccc/

26/01/2023 – 26/01/2023 Malta

AWARD IN HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARENESS BICC

Website https://bca.org.mt/bccc/

11/10/2021 – 16/03/2023

MASTER IN KNOWLEDGE-BASED ENTREPRENEURSHIP University of Malta

Website https://www.um.edu.mt/

07/07/2018 – CURRENT Romania

POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN APITHERAPY Dr Stefan Stangaciu

▪ Apitherapy principles and history;

▪ Bee Biology for Apitherapists;

▪ Importance of bee products for a bee colony;

▪ Importance of Bee Products for Humans and Animals;

▪ Origin and Types, characteristics, composition, Pharmacological properties, effects, actions, indications,

counter indications, limits adverse reactions, administration, preparations, commercial aspects for: Bee

Pollen; Bee Bread; Honey; Honeydew Honey; Propolis; Beeswax; Royal Jelly; Apilarnil; and Bee Venom.

Level in EQF EQF level 7 National classification MQF level 7

30/09/2015 – CURRENT Blata l-Bajda, Malta

JAPANESE Adult Learning Centre

▪ Recognise frequently written text types such as newspaper headlines, simple manuals, invitations, etc. and

the manner to write basic personal information

▪ Write personal details in basic form-filling

▪ Comprehend simple utterances delivered slowly and clearly articulated

▪ Read and understand short simple sentences, notices and signs

3 / 8▪ Adopt a positive attitude in communicating in the Japanese language

Final grade D+ Level in EQF EQF level 1 National classification MQF level 1

09/03/2015 – CURRENT Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Malta

GRAPHIC DESIGNER ASSOCIATE Institute of Computer Education

25/10/2013 – CURRENT Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Malta

GAME DESIGNER Institute of Computer Education,

▪ Animation

▪ Cameras

▪ Compositing

▪ Data Management / Interopability

▪ Dynamics / Simulation

▪ Effects

▪ Lighting

▪ Materials / Shading

▪ Modeling

▪ Rendering

▪ Rigging / Setup

▪ Scene Assembly / Pipeline Integration

▪ Scripting

▪ UI / Object Management Game Development with Unity

▪ Game Development & Getting to know Unity

▪ Understanding Game Space & Scene

▪ Scripting in C#

▪ Game Physics & AI

▪ Weapons & Game Life

▪ Creating Particle Systems & Special Effects

▪ User Interface & GUI

▪ Finishing Game Content

2016 – 2017

ENERGY PERFORMANCE ASSESSOR OF BUILDINGS (DWELLINGS) Building & Construction Agency

12/06/2017 – 17/07/2017 Nazzar, Malta

AWARD IN PROJECT MANGEMENT idea

•

•

•

•

Introduction to Project Management

Managing Projects

Managing Risks

Managing the Project Team

Final grade Distinction Level in EQF EQF level 5 National classification MQF level 5 Type of credits ESTS

Number of credits 4

28/05/2017

PROFESSION: PERIT WARRANT 1019 Ministeru għat-Trasport u l-Infrastruttura

2016

DRY STONE WALL RESTORATION MCAST

•

•

•

•

Define dry wall construction terminology.

Demonstrate dry wall construction techniques using appropriate tools and necessary safety

precautions.

List the different type of tools used for dry wall construction.

Identify PPE to be used during the construction of dry walls at various rural and surrounding built-up

areas.

4 / 806/10/2014 – 30/01/2015 Msida, Malta

CERTIFICATE IN BEEKEEPING AND THE ART OF HONEY MAKING University of Malta

▪ Understand the interactions between honeybees and the environment with special reference to

pollination;

▪ Appreciate all products that honeybees are able to produce such as honey, beeswax, propolis and

pollen;

▪ Understand better the work of honeybees both inside and out of the hive.

▪ Practise beekeeping;

▪ Recognise bee diseases and would have enough basic knowledge on how to manage them;

▪ Have relevant experience in queen making;

▪ Produce good quality honey.

Address MSD 2080, Msida, Malta Final grade A Type of credits ECTS Number of credits 4

AUTODESK CERTIFIED USER AUTOCAD 2014 Compex Computer Training Centre

▪ AutoCAD 2D Drawing Techniques and Drawing Presentation,

▪ Basics of 3D Modelling Techniques using AutoCAD’s Extensive Toolset,

▪ Rendering Perspectives Showing Material and Lighting Definitions

▪ User Interface

▪ Creating Drawings

▪ Manipulating Objects

▪ Drawing Organisation and inquiry Commands

▪ Altering Objects

▪ Working with Layouts

▪ Annotating the Drawing

▪ Dimensioning

▪ Hatching Objects

▪ Working with Reusable Content

▪ Creating Additional Drawing Objects

▪ Plotting Drawings

30/08/2013 – 01/11/2013 Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Malta

GRAPHIC DEISGN Institute of Computer Education

▪ Theory & Concepts

▫ Image File Formats

▫ Pixel vs Vector

▫ Resolution

▫ Colour Models

▫ Typography

▪ Adobe Photoshop

▫ Understand Photoshop Interface

▫ Image Editing Tools

▫ Importing and Organizing Images

▫ Making Selections

▫ Layers and Masks

▫ Colour Correction and Retouching

▫ Working with Types

▫ Preparing, Saving and Printing Images

▪ Adobe Illustrator

▫ Understand Illustrator Interface

▫ Manipulate vectors

▫ Creating Special Effects

▪ Adobe InDesign

▫ Understand InDesign Interface

▫ Layers and Frames

▫ Managing graphics

▫ Preparing documents for commercial printing

5 / 830/09/2008 – 15/07/2013 Msida, Malta

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE (HONOURS) University of Malta,

▪ Design Workshops,

▪ Urban Studies,

▪ Human-Environment Studies

▪ History of Architecture and Urbanism,

▪ Construction Systems and Materials,

▪ Structures Systems,

▪ Mathematics for Engineers,

▪ Fluid Mechanics,

▪ Surveying,

▪ Soil Mechanics and Geotechnics,

▪ Building Physics,

▪ Conservation studies,

▪ Civil Engineering,

▪ Landscape Architecture,

▪ Urban Design and Development Process,

▪ Urban Design Applications,

▪ Design Process Theory,

▪ Architecture and Society,

▪ Building and Land Economics,

▪ Comparative Planning,

▪ Design Project Workshop: An Urban Design Strategy for the Region of Kirkop, Mqabba, Qrendi,

Safi and Żurrieq

More detail is available on request.

Address MSD 2080, Msida, Malta Final grade Second Class Honours (Upper Division) Level in EQF EQF level 6

National classification MQF level 6 Type of credits ECTS Number of credits 300

Thesis Sustainable Transportation Paths for Malta

06/07/2012 – 26/10/2012 Ħaż-Żebbug, Malta

3DS MAX 2012 CERTIFIED ASSOCIATE Institute of Computer Education

▪ Introduction to 3ds Max 2012,

▪ Animation,

▪ Cameras,

▪ Compositing,

▪ Multiple Layers,

▪ Dynamics/ Simulation,

▪ Lighting,

▪ Materials/ Shading,

▪ Modelling,

▪ Rendering,

▪ Rigging/ Setup,

▪ Scripting,

▪ UI/ Object Management

09/2006 – 07/2008 Msida, Malta

MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE University of Malta G.F. Abela- Junior College

Advanced Level

▪ Pure Mathematics,

▪ Physics.

Intermediate Level

▪ Systems of Knowledge,

▪ French,

▪ Religious Knowledge,

Final grade B Level in EQF EQF level 4 National classification MQF level 4

6 / 804/2006 – 10/07/2006 Ħal Qormi, Malta

SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE St Michael’s Scool

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Mother tongue(s): MALTI | ENGLISH

Other language(s):

UNDERSTANDING SPEAKING WRITING

Listening Reading Spoken

production

Spoken

interaction

ITALIAN C2 C2 C1 C2 B2

FRENCH A2 B1 B1 A2 B1

Levels: A1 and A2: Basic user; B1 and B2: Independent user; C1 and C2: Proficient user

DIGITAL SKILLS

Facebook Zoom Social Media Microsoft Office Skype Microsoft Teams Internet user

Strategic Planning WhatsApp Windows 10

DRIVING LICENCE

Driving Licence: B1

Driving Licence: B

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Beekeeping and Queen Breeding

NETWORKS AND MEMBERSHIPS

10/02/2024 – CURRENT Slovenia

European Beekeeping Association

Link https://ebaeurope.eu/

26/04/2021 – CURRENT CZECH REPUBLIC

International Centre for Young Beekeepers

Coordinator for Maltese Young Beekeepers the description…

Link https://www.icyb.cz/malta/

10/09/2019 – CURRENT Rome, Italy

APIMONDIA

2019 – CURRENT

Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector

Deputy Chairperson representing Environment and Animal Welfare Sectors

Link https://maltacvs.org/council/arch-jorge-spiteri/

31/12/2014 – CURRENT Malta

Malta Beekeepers’ Association

09/01/2017 – CURRENT Malta

Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation

7 / 827/02/2020 – 27/02/2021 Italy

Slow Food

2017 – 2020

Civil Society Committee within the MCESD

Substitute representative for the Agriculture, rural, and fisheries

CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS

03/07/2023 – 07/07/2023 Ivančna Gorica, Slovenia

International Meeting for Young Beekeepers

Maltese coordinator

02/07/2022 – 05/07/2022 Prague, Czech Republic

International Meeting for Young Beekeepers

Maltese coordinator.

Link https://www.icyb.cz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Publication-on-IMYB-2022.jpg

21/10/2021 – 23/10/2021 Virtual

Apitherapy for Children

Link https://apitherapyforchildren2021.org/?lang=en

01/09/2021 – 06/09/2021 Virtual

Plant population reinforcement and removal of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Malta and

Sicily

Link https://italiamalta.eu/progetti/funded-projects/simaseed/?lang=en

8 / 8

Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Michael Hardt

Name:                                     Michael Hardt

Address:                                 Georg-Schumann-Str. 3, 04105 Leipzig, Germany
Phone:                                    +49 1639295043
E-mail:                                    michael.hardt@arcor.de

Born in:                                   Bad Godesberg, Germany 1964

Academic training
and activities:

1990                                       State examination in veterinary medicine, Justus-Liebig-
University Gießen, Germany
1994                                       Doctor med.vet.

Professional experience:

1995-1997                              official Veterinary Service in Baden-Württemberg

1998                                       Federal Research Institute for Animal Health,
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI)
research on bovine spongiform encephalopathy BSE

Current (since 1998)            State Laboratory for public health and veterinary medicine
of Saxony
Pathology and Microbiology of animals
Diagnostic of bee diseases

Activities and commitments:

Hobby beekeeper since 1980

President of the Beekeeper association of Saxony

Teaching position for bee science at HTW Dresden – University of Applied Sciences

THERE

Objective

An expert and qualified individual with four decades of experience in beekeeping, specializing in large-scale colony management, honey production and bee product processing, applying for the role of Beekeeper with Honey Productions. Has expertise in deploying innovative beekeeping techniques to increase productivity and profitability, while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainable practices.

Experience

01/2022 – Current   President of the Macedonian association of agricultural cooperatives             

01/2015 – Current       President of the Union of beekeeping associations of North Macedonia

2005 – Current              Certified organic producer of honey and bee products

   Current                        President of the permanent sub-sectoral group for honey at the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water economy                                                                                                                              

   Current               President of the permanent sub-sector group for organic production at the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water economy

 

   Current                        Мember of the Agricultural Council at the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water economy

 

   Current                        Member of the management board of the National Rural Network

 

   Current                    Member of the Advisory Services Council at the Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water economy

 

   Current                         Member of the management board of the local action group Pelagonia

 

   Current                       President of the beekeeping association Nectar from Bitola

 

   Current                       President of Kaymakchalan ecological society

 

Current                          President of the association for organic production and ecology Melagro from Bitola

 

   Current                       President of the regional beekeeping union Via Ignacia

 

 

Education

University St. Kliment Ohridski – Bitola
2009	Engineer in Agricultural Production
Univeristy St. Kliment Ohridski – Skopje
Current	Masters in Agricultural Sciences and Food

Skills & abilities

• Environmental awareness: Beekeeping often involves ensuring sustainability in apiculture and understanding the ecological impact of beekeeping. Possessing environmental awareness allows you to make informed decisions that benefit both bees and their surrounding environment.
• Adaptability: Beekeeping can present a variety of challenges, such as fluctuating weather conditions, changing bee populations or evolving disease and pest issues. Being adaptable allows you to identify and address these challenges quickly to ensure the wellbeing of bee colonies.
• Patience: Patience and perseverance are important in beekeeping, as it involves working with living creatures and navigating various unexpected challenges. Having patience allows you to remain focused and committed to your work, even in difficult circumstances, so you can ensure the long-term health and success of your colonies.

 

Married, three children

Training

Greifswald Vocational School

Degree: Pharmaceutical Technical

Assistant

Studies at the Ernst-Moritz Arndt

University of Greifswald

Degree: Diploma in Chemistry (Dipl.

Chem.)

Pasewalk Extended Secondary School;

Degree:

University entrance qualification

Extended Secondary School

Neubrandenburg

Professional career

Pasewalk Polytechnic High School

Since August 1995 employed at the Pharmacy, Pasewalk

Volunteer work

Copa-Cogeca

Working Party Honey

Vicepresident since 11/2023

BeeLife Board since 02/2023

German Beekeepers’ Association e.V. President since October 2019

Assessor in the Presidium

October 2011 – October 2015

National Association of Beekeepers

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V.

1st Chairman October 2011 – January 2020

Honorary Chairman since January 2020

Imkerverein Pasewalk 1878 e.c. Chairman March 2010 – March 2020

Juozas Olekas is a Member of the European Parliament, elected in 2019. He is a medical doctor by profession, a doctor of medical sciences and an associated professor.

 

From 1996 until 2019 Juozas Olekas was a member of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. Previously, he was the Minister of Health (1990-1992 and 2003-2004) and the Minister of National Defense (2006-2008 and 2012-2016).

 

In the European Parliament he participates in the work of the Agriculture and Rural Development, the Foreign Affairs Committees and in the work of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence. He is the co-chair of the Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Apiculture group in the Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development Intergroup, and was the Shadow Rapporteur for the Honey directive in 2023.

 

 

Juozas Olekas is a fourth-generation beekeeper, who has joined the Lithuanian Beekeepers Association in 2009, and became a member of its board in 2021.  In 2023 he was elected President of the Lithuanian Beekeepers Association.

 

Biologist by profession, is deeply captivated by
the intricacies of nature. Her professional journey has been enriched
with invaluable experiences gained through study and work exchanges
abroad, active participation in Interreg, Cost, and Life projects,
organization of international meetings and symposiums, as well as
contribution to scientific papers within international consortiums.
Since 2018, she has served as the president of the Slovenian
Entomological Society of Štefan Michieli and holds a position on the
editorial board of the popular scientific journal/bulletin, Trdoživ.

Currently, Urška works as a Food Safety Advisor at the Slovenian
Beekeepers’ Association. In addition to her responsibilities, she serves
as the project manager for the Characterisation of Bee Products project,
sits on the professional board of the Anton Janša Beekeeping School,
and imparts knowledge as a lecturer on good hygienic practices in
beekeeping (rooted in HACCP principles), as well as on honey types and
quality. Her involvement has recently extended to the B-THENET project,
which is dedicated to harmonization of best beekeeping practices across
Europe.

EDUCATION

Certification in chemistry and hygiene

1982 – 1987                  Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Science (RNDr.)

1978 – 1982                  Grammar school

 

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

2002 – present              Entrepreneur in the field of consultancy and representation of foreign companies in the food industry

1996 – 2002                  Specialist at a multinational business company

1987 -1996                   Specialist at a public health office

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY

Beekeeper since childhood; participated and won the national youth beekeeping competition “Golden Bee”. Member of the Czech Beekeepers´ Association for over 30 years. Worked in the Czech Beekeepers´ Association in various positions from the local to the national level and for 20 years as a member of the commission for work with beekeeping youth. Graduate of the Nasavrky Beekeeping School. Beekeeping teacher and lecturer.

Founder and President of ICYB – International Centre for Young Beekeepers (ICYB), a non-profit organization from the Czech Republic, dedicated to supporting young beekeepers worldwide especially in the field of education and international meetings. Main mission of ICYB is currently support and coordination of the project called IMYB – International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB).

Founder and Main Coordinator of IMYB – International Meeting of Young Beekeepers (IMYB) taking place annually since 2010. Coordinator for organizing the international IMYB meeting. Delegating and supporting new IMYB organizers. IMYB is the world’s largest gathering of young beekeepers. This annual competition serves as a unique platform for young beekeeping enthusiasts worldwide to exhibit their skills, foster global networks, and share best practices. So far, IMYB has been organized in the following countries: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Austria, Great Britain, France and Slovenia. Since 2010, over 1,000 young beekeepers from more than 43 different countries have participated in the IMYB and represented their national colours.

PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL BEEKEEPING CONGRESSES

• 43rd International Apicultural Congress Apimondia – Kyiv (Ukraine) 2013 – member of the official delegation of the Czech Beekeepers’ Association
• 44th International Apicultural Congress Apimondia – Daejeon (South Korea) 2013 – lecturer
• 21st International Congress Apislavia – Almaty (Kazakhstan) 2016 – lecturer + speech at the opening ceremony of the congress
• International Scientific and Educational Conference “Bee and Man” Moscow (Russia) 2017 – lecturer
• 22nd International Congress Apislavia – Moscow (Russia) 2018 – lecturer + speech at the opening ceremony of the congress
• 11th Arab Beekeepers Union conferencein Jiyeh – Beirut (Lebanon) 2018 – lecturer + awarded guest
• International ministerial and professional conference “Global challenges in beekeeping” Žirovnica (Slovenia) 2018 – lecturer
• 46th International Apicultural Congress Apimondia – Montreal (Canada) 2019

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Czech (native), English (active), German (active) and Russian (active)

I live in the middle parts of Sweden 49 years. I run a farm, with beekeeping as the main proffesion. I have cut down on the number of hives due to the pricefall of honey in Sweden. I have today around 300 hives, i mainly produce bulk. I am president of the organisation Honungsringen. Honungsringen is a very small organisation that only strives to ensure the quality of Swedish honey and beeswax, and ofcourse try to reveal some of all the fake imported honey via analyses.

 

No biography

Born on 9 May 1969 in Ogulin, Croatia, married, two daughters. Live in Zagreb.
In 1995 I finished Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture University of Zagreb. In 2002, I obtained the title of Master of Science in the field of mechanical engineering. Currently I work for Končar Power Transformers in Zagreb as PLM manager and developer.
As a beekeeper I started in 2010. I finished beekeeper school in Moravice, Croatia, in 2011. I have an apiary near Vrbovsko in Gorski Kotar, Croatia. I use AŽ beehives.
I am active member of Beekeeper Society Zagreb, currently at vice president function. I am maintenance web page of our Society and I lead several projects that we realize every year. One of the main projects that we realize every year is the Little School of Beekeeping, which is free for all participants. I have also been participating in the organization of the international honey quality competition Zzzagimed for many years, for which I also created a web application for evaluating honey samples. As hobbies I will mention photography, video, bicycling, 3D printing and on the first place beekeeping because I am not professional beekeeper.

No biography

I was born in Zvornik (BiH) in 1959 and finished primary

and secondary school in Doboj (BiH). I graduated from the

Faculty of Economics in Belgrade.

I have been beekeeping since 1987. and since then I have

been a member of the beekeeping organization. I am a

beekeeper with about 100 bee colonies in LR hives. I am

advocating for the development of Urban Beekeeping and

have created several mini apiaries on the roofs of office

buildings in Belgrade (Hyatt Regency Hotel, TC UŠĆE, TC

ADAMALL, NAVIGATOR, etc.) with the aim of showing the city population the importance of

bees in preserving a healthy environment.

I am the president of the Belgrade Association of Beekeepers.

I am on the list of official lecturers of SPOS and I have given several lectures on beekeeping.

I organized and led several beekeeping courses for beginners. At the EPALE conference in 2022.

the “Urban Beekeeping” course organized by the Belgrade Beekeepers Association was included

in the publication Example of Good Practices in Adult Education in 2022. I am certified at the

University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy for adult education.

I finished the APIPEDAGOGY course organized by the Belgrade Association of Beekeepers in

cooperation with the SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPING ACADEMY. I held several beekeeping workshops

for children of school and preschool age.

For the last 25 years, I have been the director and owner of a company for import, export and

trade of ferrous metallurgy products.

 

Nedjeljko Mrakovčić was born on June 26, 1966, in Krk (Croatia) from father Stanko and mother Marija, born Jurešić (pure islander). Presently settled in Punat (Island of Krk, Croatia).

By profession ship carpenter, presently employed at the Shipyard in Punat. Married, and father of two. He started practicing apiculture in 2006 on the Island of Krk. In 2007 he was appointed to a position of the Secretary, and in 2009, elected as the President of the Beekeepers’ Association “Kadulja” Otok Krk. “Kadulja” stands for sage (Salvia officinalisL.). Both of these positions have been carried out on a voluntary basis. He was the elected representative of beekeepers of Primorje-Gorski Kotar in the Executive Board of the national Croatian Beekeepers Federation, for one term of 4 years.

He attended the formative School for beekeepers (2008) and was issued the “Certificate of Qualification for Beekeeper”. He was the local organizer of a beekeeping school for his association with that was attended by total of 60 participants (2011 and 2012). Furthermore, he organized and attended the advanced beekeeping program “Beekeeper Specialist and Queen Bee Breeder” in 2014, with total of 17 participants. In addition to beekeeping, he is engaged in olive growing and successfully leads the Olive Growers Association “Naška” Punat in his second term.

Presently, he is in his second term of the President of the Association of Beekeeping Associations of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County – Beekeepers Federation of Primorje-Gorski Kotar (UPU PGŽ).

Roger Patterson is a practical beekeeper who started beekeeping in
West Sussex in 1963. He is heavily involved in the craft, being a
demonstrator at his local BKA since the early 1970s and manager of
their teaching apiary. He served a full term as BBKA Trustee, is
currently Vice President of Bee Diseases Insurance Ltd (BDI), Lecture
Convenor of the National Honey Show and BIBBA President. He has vast
experience with a fairly large number of colonies, both his own and
others. With a full-time job, he ran 130 of his own for about 15
years.
In addition to featuring in many videos, Roger is a prolific writer
and speaker. Live@theHive [1] is the live streaming of Roger in his
apiary. In all of these he passes on the knowledge gained from
experience and observing bees, in the hope it helps beekeepers to keep
their bees in an understanding and caring way.
He owns and manages Dave Cushman’s website www.dave-cushman.net, that
is accepted as one of the world’s most comprehensive and respected
beekeeping websites.
Roger Patterson is the author of: –
_“Beekeeping: A Practical Guide”_, which is aimed at non
beekeepers and beginners, although beekeepers of much longer standing
say they get a lot from it.
*“_Colony Increase: The Roger Patterson Method”_ that is a simple
system that incorporates several techniques that can be used on their
own by small-scale beekeepers, or as a whole system that can rapidly
increase the number of colonies to suit BKAs and commercial
beekeepers.
_*“The Teaching Apiary: A brilliant resource”_ describes many of
the things that can be done in a teaching apiary to help improve
knowledge and skills of beekeepers. It is suitable for all beekeepers,
including demonstrators, apiary managers and BKA officials.
_*“Beekeeping: Challenge what you are told”_ encourages beekeepers
to do just that. We have all heard things that bees are supposed to
do, but when they don’t, we blame the bees, rather than question the
information or advice that may be unreliable or inappropriate.
_*“Queen Rearing Made Easy: The Punched Cell Method”_ This is an
old, but little used method of raising queens that is suitable for the
small to medium scale beekeeper.
The four marked * were all published in 2021.

Dylan Farrugia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master of
Science in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of Malta. His
Master’s research focused on introgressive hybridisation traits in the
endemic Maltese honeybee, Apis mellifera ruttneri, particularly in Gozo,
where unregulated beekeeping practices have impacted this unique honey
bee subspecies. Using morphometry and mitochondrial DNA analysis, his
work provided a comprehensive survey of these traits. He was also
involved and contributed to the MEDIBEES project as a Research Support
Officer at the University of Malta. This project is investigating the
biodiversity and sustainability of Mediterranean honey bee populations,
addressing challenges such as climate change, pests, and the impact of
agricultural practices.

Currently, Dylan serves as the President of the Foundation for the
Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee, an NGO he co-founded to advocate
for the protection of Malta’s native honey bee subspecies. Under his
leadership, the NGO successfully campaigned for the official designation
of the Maltese Honey Bee as Malta’s National Insect, a milestone
achieved in September, 2024. This was the culmination of a nationwide
campaign, which included the publication of a legal study on honey bee
conservation, securing support from environmental experts, international
NGOs, and extensive media engagement.

[1]

_The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee is a
social-purpose, non-profit Foundation established under Article 3 of the
Voluntary Organisations Act, Chapter 492 of the Laws of Malta. It is
enrolled with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations
under enrolment number VO/2403. Additionally, the Foundation is
registered as a legal entity by the Office of the Registrar for Legal
Persons, in accordance with Chapter 16 of the Laws of Malta, holding
certificate of registration number LPF-408, and complies with the
requirements of the Second Schedule of the Civil Code. The Foundation is
affiliated with the European Beekeeping Association._

Education: university, University of Agroscience Gödöllő (agricultural engineer)

 

Professional experience: I am a beekeeper since 1984, second part of the 90s I was a full time beekeeper. During my student years between 1990-94 I gained beekeeping-experience in the USA.

Public activity in beekeeping:

• 1999 February: editor of the „Méhészet” – Hungarian BeeJournal
• 1996-2000: Executive Board member of the Hungarian Beekeepers’ Association (OMME),
• 2000-2004: Vice President of OMME
• 2004-2024: President of OMME,

Manuel Gonçalves was born in Bragança 65 years ago.

A beekeeper from a young age, he founded the Montesinho Natural Park Beekeepers Association in 1980. In 1994 he assumed the presidency of this association, remaining in the position to this day. Since that date, he has been Managing Partner of the Agrupamento de Produtores de Mel do Parque, LDA., the commercial structure that manages PDO Mel do Parque de Montesinho, and which currently transforms and sells the honey, pollen and propolis production of the approximately 300 members of the Association.

President of FNAP – National Federation of Beekeepers of Portugal since September 2001, he is a CAP Expert in the “Honey” Working Group of COPA-COGECA and in the Civil Dialogue Group “Other Animal Products” of the European Commission.