Dear beekeepers, dear friends of beekeeping,
In February 2024, we founded the European Beekeeping Association (EBA) in Belgrade, and on 22 April 2024, I was unanimously elected as its President. Today, EBA already brings together 32 countries and more than 420,000 beekeepers. This is not just a number – it is a great European family of people united by their love for bees, care for nature, and dedication to producing high-quality bee products.
During these two years, I have devoted an enormous amount of time, energy, and heart to EBA. I perform this work entirely on a voluntary basis – I have not received a single euro for my work, nor reimbursement of material costs. Everything I do, I do out of conviction, enthusiasm, and the desire to improve conditions for European beekeepers and to protect consumers of bee products.
I am especially pleased that EBA has no membership fee and that there will be none until the end of my presidency. We do not wish to place additional burdens on beekeeping organizations, and therefore I sincerely thank all sponsors who help us so that our work can continue smoothly.
Unfortunately, the truth is also that most of the work rests on a small group of dedicated people. My sincere thanks go to Vice-President Rodoljub Živadinović, Secretary Biljana Tomić, Head of the Scientific Committees Dr. Urška Ratajc during EBA’s first year, and Dr. Nik Lupše, who leads the Scientific Committees today, as well as all members of the Executive and Supervisory Boards who contribute their knowledge, time, and goodwill to building EBA.
Above all, I am grateful and honored that members of the Scientific Committees are part of the EBA family, giving their time, knowledge, and energy to EBA free of charge.
At the same time, I often ask myself why individuals from the Scientific Committees sometimes invest more energy than the leadership of EBA member organizations. Why do we not all become more actively involved? Why are there not more initiatives, proposals, or even criticism? Only together can we grow. Let us be aware that no one else will solve the problems in the beekeeping sector for us.
When I look back, I am proud despite all the challenges. EBA has become an important partner in the international arena. The voice of European beekeepers is now heard in the European Parliament, the European Commission, and beyond. I thank many Members of the European Parliament for their support, as well as European Commissioner Mr. Hansen. I am convinced that our perseverance, and above all our sincere and concrete initiatives, will ultimately be rewarded.
It is also important that the establishment of EBA has encouraged the activity of other beekeeping organizations across Europe. I welcome this – every positive initiative is valuable.
You can read about what we have done during these two years here:
https://ebaeurope.eu/a-new-era-for-european-bees-the-ebas-first-two-years-of-success
You can read about our plans for 2026 here:
https://ebaeurope.eu/regular-annual-assembly-of-eba
Everything about the work of EBA is presented in detail in EBA Magazine:
https://ebaeurope.eu/magazine-no-bees-no-life
Unfortunately, these two years have not passed without shadows. Alongside the work, I have also faced many obstacles, lies, and even threats. If I had expected this from multinationals or trade lobbies, I did not expect it from those who should act in unity for the good of beekeepers. That hurts. It hurts deeply.
But I never run from difficulties. Difficulties are a challenge that only makes me stronger. Therefore, until the end of my mandate, I will use all my knowledge, energy, and determination to help European beekeepers drive unfair competition of fake honey from the market. If we stand united, we will succeed.
Consumers deserve to enjoy genuine bee products, real honey, which alone strengthens health. Fake honey, which according to European Commission data accounts for 47% of the market (and according to our data, significantly more), can even be harmful to health.
I sincerely wish that all European beekeepers stand together. That we overcome differences, resentments, and divisions. That we show what a connected, united, and strong beekeeping sector in Europe means. Therefore, I extend a hand of cooperation to all beekeeping associations across Europe. There is no need for formal unification, but it is important that we act together on common goals.
Dear beekeepers, be proud that you are part of a European beekeeping family of more than 420,000 members. Be proud of your work, because beekeeping is not just an activity – it is a mission.
22 April is also Earth Day. Let us remember: without bees, the world would have more than one-third less food, and nature would be far poorer and less balanced. Through pollination, bees preserve plants, enable the production of fruit and many crops on which the nutrition of people and animals depends.
But sadly, without beekeepers in the modern world, the very existence of bees would also be in great question, because it is beekeepers, through their knowledge, dedication, and care, who preserve bee colonies and thereby protect the future of our planet.
Therefore, from the bottom of my heart:
Thank you, beekeepers, for taking care of bees.
Thank you for being part of the largest beekeeping family in Europe – part of EBA!
Boštjan Noč
President of EBA
