Protection of European beekeepers and the issue of counterfeit honey

Subject: Protection of European beekeepers and the issue of counterfeit honey

The alarming reality that nearly half of the honey on the market could be counterfeit is not only a blow to consumers, but also undermines the centuries-old traditions of European beekeepers, who have dedicated themselves to providing pure and natural products.

Counterfeit honey not only damages the livelihoods of dedicated beekeepers across Europe, but also jeopardises consumer trust, public health and the essential pollination services upon which our agriculture depends.

Given reports that nearly half of honey products may be counterfeit, urgent intervention is needed to restore integrity to the market and protect this invaluable sector.

1. What measures will the Commission propose to ensure the authenticity of bee products in Europe?

2. How does the Commission plan to strengthen regulations, enhance transparency, and impose stricter penalties on fraudulent practices within the honey market?

3. Additionally, what support can be expected for small and medium-sized beekeepers in Slovenia, who are particularly vulnerable to this market distortion?

Submitted: 13.11.2024

Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission

(13 January 2025)

As expressed in its replies to written questions E-000209/2024 (1) and E-000343/2024 (2), the Commission sets out a series of measures to address honey adulteration at EU level.

EU import certificates were reinforced with an authenticity requirement for exporting countrie s (3). Article 13 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 (4)also made the import of honey possible only from listed establishments.

Directive (EU) 2024/1438 (5) introduced a mandatory indication of origin for honey blends and new provisions on traceability and authenticity.

The Commission has also been entrusted with the task of adopting, by 14 June 2028, implementing acts laying down the methods of analysis to detect adulterated honey. Technical work is in progress to that end.

The regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (6) and the Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (7) mandate that each Member State sets up its own system of penalties to address incompliances. This approach allows for flexibility while penalties must remain effective, proportionate, and dissuasive.

Under the Slovenian Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027, over EUR 6.4 million (public expenditure) have been earmarked to support beekeepers, including small and medium-sized beekeepers.

1 ∙ ⸱ https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-000209-ASW_EN.html

2 ∙ ⸱ https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-000343-ASW_EN.html

3 ∙ ⸱ Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/36 of 11 January 2022 amending Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 as regards model

certificates for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain live aquatic animals and products of animal origin: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2022/36/oj 4 ∙ ⸱

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 of 6 September 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of food-producing animals and certain goods intended for human consumption: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2022/2292/oj 5 ∙ ⸱

Directive (EU) 2024/1438 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey, 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption, 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption, and 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1438/oj 6 ∙ ⸱

Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2002/178/oj 7 ∙ ⸱ Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation): http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/625/oj














| | )These interventions include support for research, education, training, knowledge transfer, investments and actions to improve production, to combat bee diseases and pests, breeding, as well as honey promotion and marketing measures.