European apiculture. Discussion paper

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation of beekeeping in the Community, calling once again for immediate action to support European beekeeping, ideally within the framework of a common organisation of the honey market with the simplest possible administrative arrangements. The European Parliament called on the Commission to go straight ahead and present proposals on: - an action programme to improve honey production, processing and marketing conditions; - a study of the structure of apiculture in the Member States; - steps to implement a quality policy, although it did point out that these measures would be unable to rectify the situation of apiculture in the EU. It also called on the Council to approve the introduction of a Community pollination premium for every beehive, payable to both commercial and part-time beekeepers, on ecological and socio-economic grounds. This premium should at least cover the costs of winter feeding on the basis of pre-established zones at Union level. It also called for financial compensation for income lost as the result of the absence of Community preference. Similarly, it called for imported honey to meet hygiene and quality standards. At the same time, Parliament called on the Commission to submit an action programme to combat bee diseases (varroa mite disease).�