On November 29, 2024 a meeting was held between EBA President Mr. Boštjan Noč and EBA Vice – president Mr. Rodoljub Živadinović with the top management of Apimondia, consisting of Apimondia President Mr. Jeff Pettis, Apimondia General Secretary Mr. Riccardo Jannoni-Sebastianini and Apimondia Commission President for Europe Mr. Robert Chlebo.
The meeting lasted almost two hours and covered all important issues related to the cooperation between Apimondia and EBA in solving the most important problems of world and European beekeeping.
The greatest emphasis was placed on the main goal of the EBA – combating counterfeit honey.
An absolute consensus was reached on the damage counterfeits do to beekeeping. President Apimondia said that beekeepers give up beekeeping because of the abnormally low prices of fake honey, which also lowers the price of real honey, because they represent unfair competition to beekeepers.
An agreement was reached regarding further joint action towards all decision-makers in the widest possible beekeeping front. It was agreed to create a partnership statement of all international beekeeping organizations on common goals related to adulterated honey, which will be sent to decision makers in the European Union.
The new EU Commissioner for Agriculture takes office on December 1, 2024 and will receive our letter as soon as possible.
Boštjan Noč
President of the European Beekeeping Association
