On 28 January 2026, a meeting of all members of the European Beekeeping Association (EBA) was held.
The President, Boštjan Noč, presented each proposal submitted, explaining and elaborating on all contributions received from members up to the date of the meeting. He emphasized that the proposals were of very high quality.
The President thanked all members who contributed ideas and proposals, noting that the beekeeping sector is facing serious challenges. He stressed the importance of working together and taking decisions swiftly, as required by the current situation. He also highlighted that EBA’s Scientific Committees are highly effective and underlined that they should always be consulted in EBA’s work and decision-making.
Members actively participated in the discussion, and the meeting progressed in a very constructive and positive direction.
During the discussion, Jürgen Binder (Germany) raised the issue of pollination security and the EU–Mercosur Agreement and proposed that EBA prepare an official letter on this matter. He emphasized that many politicians in Germany are insufficiently informed and called for joint action and coordinated engagement with policymakers. The President confirmed and supported Jürgen Binder’s proposal.
Torsten Ellmann (Germany) contributed to the discussion by raising the issue of traceability, while the President additionally addressed the topic of border controls.
Furthermore, Jorge Spiteri (Malta) spoke about the importance of standardized data and proposed that data from all member associations be harmonized at EBA level, in order to strengthen coordination and effectiveness across the organization.
The President proposed a proactive approach to the formation of working groups and encouraged all members to actively engage and participate, underlining that broad involvement is essential for achieving EBA’s objectives.
Additionally, Giorgos Athanasiadis (Greece) suggested the formal creation of a working group, supporting the President’s call for active member participation and structured collaboration.
The President, Boštjan Noč, also presented a proposal for two specialized groups within EBA:
A group focused on Common Agricultural Policy and broader European agricultural policy, to coordinate EBA’s strategic engagement at the EU level.
A group dedicated to data collection and statistical analysis, aimed at strengthening EBA’s evidence-based decision-making and reporting capabilities.
Additionally, Tetyana Vasylkivska (Ukraine) expressed interest in participating in the formation of a working group, further highlighting the collaborative spirit among members.
The President Noč thanked all participants for a constructive and productive meeting, emphasizing the value of their engagement and contributions.