About today’s meeting, Mr. Boštjan Noč, President of the EBA, said:
“Today, on video conference, I met with the EU Commission’s inner
cabinet – European Commission DG Agriculture and Rural Development
At the meeting, I highlighted the following:
In May, in Slovenia, EU Commissioner Mr. Hansen promised the
possibility of per-hive support under environmental measures as
compensation for bee pollination services. I asked the cabinet:
– I would like to know where the current procedure is,
– when will this be adopted in the EU
– when could member states introduce this in their countries
ANSWER:
The EU legislation regarding per-hive support is currently being
changed. It will be adopted shortly. From next year, this will be
possible in EU countries, of course, each country must regulate this
in its acts
I further highlighted:
According to your EU Commission, 46% of honey on the market is
counterfeit, and according to our data from the field in some
countries, even more. Most of these counterfeits have not even been
seen by bees, and this honey, which is not honey, is not beneficial to
the health of consumers, but can even harm them.
The EBA supports the work of the honey platform and participates
constructively in it. Unfortunately, there is no decision yet,
everything is going very slowly. In the meantime, we need immediate
measures:
1. Honey is bought to improve health, and counterfeit honey only harms
the health of consumers. Therefore, the Commission must protect
consumers and beekeepers
2. introduce greater traceability controls at the borders of Europe
3. we need an immediate ban on the import of honey from those
countries where it is known that the majority of imported honey is
counterfeit – a precautionary measure to protect consumers.
4. We need a clear definition of the method for detecting counterfeits
as soon as possible
I also highlighted:
The problem of honey from Ukraine, the EBA is in no way against the
import of real honey from Ukrainian beekeepers, but unfortunately,
according to our information, most of this honey that comes to Europe
has not even seen Ukraine. Most of it has not even been seen by
bees… therefore, the release of additional quotas without
traceability and quality controls is harmful to both Ukrainian
beekeepers and all European beekeepers. We expect and demand that the
Commission consult with European beekeepers about such measures!
The new CAP proposal foresees the abolition of the independent
beekeeping envelope in the future, which is suicide for the beekeeping
sector. 30% of food depends on bee pollination, honey can be imported,
but pollination cannot. Therefore, a call, preserve the beekeeping
envelope!
EBA proposes that the EU Commission SUPPORT a single European
promotional campaign BUY LOCAL FOOD, BUY LOCAL HONEY!
We received the following answers from those present:
– The EU Commission is aware of the problem of counterfeit honey
– A list of countries from which the most problematic honey is
produced has been made and greater control of honey is being carried
out in these countries
– The problem is the right method for detecting counterfeit honey and
this is the priority of the Commission
– They agree that the work of the honey platform is slow, but at the
same time they emphasize that quality work takes time, and they expect
the first results of this platform in early 2026
– They praised the work of the EBA and our members in the Honey platform
– The problem of the honey platform is disagreements in this group and
different opinions
The most important thing is the following:
– Europe has a joint research center (https://commission.europa.eu/about/departments-and-executive-agencies/joint-research-centre_en) which, with its experts, is preparing a proposal for a harmonized
method for detecting counterfeit honey. They are now testing different
methods, the goal is to check all methods and find a harmonization of
all. On this basis, a special EU delegated act will be drawn up, which
will be received by all EU member states for adoption and will have to
be confirmed. It is realistic that the harmonized method will be
finalized in 2026, and the member states will confirm this in 2027.
Special emphasis is also placed on the feasibility study in practice.
The message that there will still be a special envelope for beekeeping
for EU funding is also very important, with special emphasis on the
fact that support per hive will also be possible.
We agreed to be in constant contact and to help each other achieve common goals”!
