Brussels action on threatened honey production
The disastrous impact of bee diseases on honey production across the EU has prompted action from the European Commission and the EU Council of Ministers.
The Commission is researching the problem this summer and will release a detailed assessment by the end of the year amidst calls from EU ministers for a coordinated Europe-wide response to the problem.
They welcomed a paper tabled at a council meeting by the Slovenian government: it warned of the many cases since 2003 of colony collapse disorder syndrome’, which has been decimating honey production.
“Losses of as high as 50% of honeybee colonies have been reported in various European countries,” noted the Slovenians, who stressed the potential resulting “serious fall in agricultural production” especially for critical confectionery inputs such as fruits and berries. The paper warned the situation was worsening, with indications losses in the 2007/8 season were up 30% on the previous year.
Steps being urged on the Commission by the paper included boosting research into why colonies are disappearing, checking whether climate change and plant protection products are to blame. Slovenia – which has a strong honeybee sector – also suggested establishing ecological recovery zones with special environmental controls to renew Europe’s bee population.
