Beekeeping is a key sector in Hungarian agriculture

By: STA Date: 2023. 02. 21. 10:30

Hungary was the first to make beekeeping tax-free, the first to grant pollination subsidies, and the first to actually list the countries from which the honey comes on the label, since the protection of producers and consumers is ensured in this way, said Minister of Agriculture István Nagy at the beekeeping meeting of the Homokhát Bee Association in Sándorfalva.

(Photo: Pixabay)

The head of the ministry also spoke about the fact that beekeeping is a small sector in agriculture, but it has a key role. Without pollination, there is no sustainable development, no sustainable future. The Ministry of Agriculture continues to pay special attention to beekeeping during the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy until 2027, as well as in the national support system. In the case of beekeeping sectoral subsidies, the 50-50 EU and domestic co-financing will remain, and between 2023 and 2027, the beekeeping sector will receive support of around 42.7 million euros, together with domestic funds. It will be possible to apply for the animal welfare subsidy after the bees in the same way, it costs 15 euros per bee family, detailed István Nagy.

The minister also drew attention to the fact that there was a disturbance on the European honey market

The impact of the war in Ukraine and the failed Brussels sanctions in response to it are also felt here. Before the outbreak of the fighting, 5,000 tons of honey could arrive in the EU duty-free, and a 17.3 percent duty was imposed on the items above that. According to the Union’s decision, honey can be imported from Ukraine in unlimited quantities without duty. The Ukrainian beekeepers immediately sold their honey at depressed prices after spinning, and those where the Hungarian beekeepers also wanted to sell their products bought it from them. István Nagy emphasized that Europe bought 71% more imported honey than in the previous year. In order to eliminate disturbances on the honey market, at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on January 30, together with the agriculture ministers of 19 other member states, Hungary asked the European Commission to strictly regulate the origin of honey mixtures on the European market.