Subject: Support for Greek beekeeping in light of the negative consequences of climate change and increased production costs
The production of honey and other beekeeping products in Greece has dropped by more than 50 % this year. This is due not only to the severe drought witnessed but also to problems caused by diseases and non-native species. Meanwhile, large quantities of honey remain unsold. This is because big retail chains import honey from non-EU countries at much lower prices than the cost of production in Greece meaning that the prices of the lower quantities for sale do not cover the cost per kilo, which has gone through the roof.
Thus, beekeepers in Greece and across the EU are facing a very serious situation as, in addition to increased costs, they are dealing with a lack of revenue and a drop in the value of their product.
In view of the above:
1. What measures does the Commission intend to take to respond to the serious crisis in the honey market and guarantee the origin of honey?
2. Does it plan to provide special aid to the beekeeping sector to offset the drop in production and increased energy costs?
Submitted: 14.11.2024
Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission
(20 December 2024)
Directive (EU) 2024/1438 (1) amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey, introduced mandatory origin labelling for honey blends and new provisions on traceability and authenticity.
In particular, the Commission is 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.
Through an amendment to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 (2), EU import requirements were reinforced with an authenticity requirement for exporting countries and the obligation to import honey only from listed establishments.
The EU provides financial support to apiculture under the Common Agriculture Policy Strategic Plans implemented by Member States. Beekeepers can benefit from various support measures, in particular apiculture support with an annual EU budget of EUR 60 million.
This is at least doubled with national co-financing to support interventions such as training and advisory services, investments to improve production, combat beehive invaders and diseases, prevent damage caused by adverse climate, research actions, laboratory analysis and promotion and marketing actions.
1 ∙ ⸱ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32024L1438
2 ∙ ⸱ Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2652 of 15 September 2023 amending and correcting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 with regard to
requirements for the entry into the Union of honey, meat, highly refined products, gelatine capsules, fishery products and requirements for private attestation and amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/630 as regards private attestation requirements for composite products exempted from official controls at border control posts: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202302652