Today, at the headquarters of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association and the European Beekeepers’ Association, we welcomed members of two scientific committees (for the quality and safety of bee products and for bee health) of the European Beekeepers’ Association from 10 countries.
The representatives of the EBA Scientific Committees are aware that we have challenging tasks ahead of us in 2025, and the Committee for the Quality and Safety of Bee Products has as its priorities the fight against counterfeit honey and raising consumer awareness of the importance of buying local honey. The Committee for Bee Health, on the other hand, has a great challenge in finding the causes of the large winter losses of bees across Europe in the winter of 2024/25.
The Minister of Agriculture gave the folowing speech>
Dear beekeepers,
dear members of the scientific committees of the European Beekeeping Association,
distinguished /distingvišd/ guests, representatives of institutions, experts, and friends of bees,
Warm greetings on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the Republic of Slovenia. It is a great honor and pride to host this important event, which is also the first meeting of the scientific committees of the European Beekeeping Association.
Slovenia is a land of beekeepers and the home of the Carniolan /karnijoln/ honeybee – one of Europe’s most important pollinators. Beekeeping here is much more than an economic activity: it is a way of life, a part of our national identity and cultural heritage.
We are proud that the headquarters /hedkortrs/ of the European Beekeeping Association, uniting almost four hundred thousand beekeepers from twenty-eight European countries, is located in Slovenia. This is a recognition/rekognišn/ of our long-standing commitment and also a great responsibility we gladly accept.
Bees and beekeepers play an extremely important role in today’s world. They are the foundation of our ecosystem, and are essential for biodiversity and food production. Without them, there is no life.
We are facing great challenges in agriculture, beekeeping, and society.
Climate change, bee diseases, the intensification of agriculture, fake honey, and global market pressures are hard realities. That is why it is crucial to stand together and build a strong, connected, and resilient /rizilijnt/ European beekeeping community.
The European Beekeeping Association plays a key role in uniting beekeepers, protecting their interests, ensuring the safety of honey and bee products, and raising public awareness about the importance of bees. At theMinistry of Agriculture, we know that without bees, there is no food, and without food, no life. That’s why Slovenia strengthens policies focused on bee protection, farmland preservation, sustainable agriculture, and food security.
As Minister, I see the Ombudsman for Food Supply Chain Relations, appointed this year, as a key player in preventing abuses, including in the honey sector. His role is to protect beekeepers, small producers, and ensure fairness in the food chain.
Europe must not become a dumping ground for fake honey. Europe must protect its beekeepers and beekeeping traditions. Beekeeping is a profession of the future. Without young beekeepers, we will not preserve our tradition. That’s why we need measures to help young people start and ensure a dignified /dignifajd/ life.
Let me conclude with three key messages:
- Together we are stronger. Only with cooperation can we protect bees and the future of food in Europe.
- No future without bees. Every investment in beekeeping is an investment in food, health, and the environment.
- Protect beekeepers, protect honey, because in doing so, we protect human health and European agriculture.
Let this event be the beginning of new partnerships and solutions that Europe and beekeepers urgently need.
Thank you, and I wish you a successful event.
