Beekeeping proposal at Euro Parliament

[Jimmy]

Thought this may be of interest to some:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-0622&language=EN

 

[MuswellMetro]

re of honey bees to certain active substances are carried out,

1. Welcomes the abovementioned Commission report of 28 May 2010; notes, however, that the current programmes come to an end in 2013 and is concerned about the numerous challenges and problems still faced by the European apiculture sector, among them marketing issues, price volatility, recruiting young beekeepers to the sector, the ageing profile of beekeepers in the European Union, decreasing numbers of colonies and the general difficulties emerging from multifactoral bee mortality;fixed price for honey

2. Calls on the Commission to respond positively to the requests from both Member States and operators, for example by improving statistical data in relation to production forecasts, including the application of the same quality requirements for honey, and improving and harmonising monitoring and research programmes for apiculture; EVERY BEEK WILL HAVE TO REGISTER

3. Calls on the Commission to consider, in the framework of the legislative proposal on agricultural quality policy, changing the rules on origin labelling of honey in order to avoid misleading information to consumers, especially in case of a blend of honeys originating from EU and non-EU countries;MAY ONLY BE CALLED ENGLISH HONEY etc no local names

4. Stresses the need to improve sanitary conditions for the product by harmonising border controls, especially for third-country imports, since low-quality honey imports, adulteration and honey substitutes distort the market and exert constant pressure on prices and the final quality of the product on the EU’s internal market; takes the view that the name of the product or any graphic or other visual element on the label or on the packaging of the product should make reference to honey only if at least 50 per cent of the sugar content originates from honey;YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOTTLE UP IN YOUR KITCHENLEVELII CITY & GIULDS H&S FOOD PRODUCTION

5. Calls on the Commission to consider the consultation of beekeepers by European and national authorities as obligatory during the development of beekeeping programmes and of related legislation in order to ensure the effectiveness of those programmes and their timely implementation;LIKE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE

6. Calls on the Commission to draw up three-year programmes based on a declaration by all Member States of the number of hives actually registered rather than on estimated figures;SEE AGAIN ALL BEEHIVES REGISTERED

7. Recognises that the development of innovative and effective treatments against Varroa mites, implicated in considerable annual losses in certain regions, is of high importance; takes the view that there is a need to make effective veterinary treatments against Varroa mites and all kinds of related diseases more widely available throughout Europe; asks the Commission to introduce common guidelines regarding veterinary treatment in the sector, for which cooperation with beekeepers’ organisations is vital;ALL MUST USE APIVAR AMITRAZ

8. Calls on the Commission to adapt the scope and financing of European veterinary policy to take account of the specific nature of bees and beekeeping with a view to ensuring more effective bee-disease control and availability of effective and standardised veterinary medicine throughout the Union, in collaboration with beekeepers’ organisations;YOU WILL NEED YOUR BEES CERTIFIED BY A VET

9. Calls on the Commission to improve coordination of the various research programmes carried out in Member States with a view to establishing an action plan for tackling bee mortality; points out that this should include mainstreaming sustainable, pollinator‑friendly farming practices by avoiding monocultures without rotation;FUNDED BY BAYER OR SimlarO



14. Calls on the Commission to study, in agreement with Member States, and in coordination between veterinary services and beekeeping organisations, as already provided for in some Member States, the opportunities for the establishment of an EU veterinary guidance plan on bee health with a view to ensuring access to veterinary medicine where necessary, which would be financed under the European veterinary policy;EVERY ONE TO USE APIVAR AMITRAZ



18. Calls on the Commission to support the European apiculture sector in an even wider and coherent manner by using additional instruments in the future CAP, including measures to enhance biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change, preserve the heritage of national traditions and cultures which provide employment for many European families, and to safeguard and improve the quality and effective functioning of the market for apiculture products;SUBSIDY FOR CHEAP GREEK HONEY

19. Calls on the Commission to coordinate national monitoring programmes for labelling requirements and risk mitigation measures which should be included in plant protection product authorisation, as well as exposure monitoring programmes for plant protection products;test of honey before you can sell it

20.Calls on the Commission to promote the direct sale of apiculture products to consumers in the local marketplace;TELL THEM AND KEEP RECORDS OF wHERE YOU SELL YOUR HONEY SO THEY CAN TAX YOU

21. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commissio

 

[For want of a better word]

Did our fathers and grandfathers not fight in two wars to rid our island nation of this kind of unreasoned legislation.

Most of the delicious apple and pear varieties in the orchards around here are banned due to eurocrap.... lets root all of those up as well so there is nothing but OSR (GM of course) for the bees to feed on... and lots more golf courses so Monsanto et al can make even bigger profits whilst the MEPs knock their silly little balls around as they spend OUR hard earned cash!!

 

[Norton]

SUBSIDY FOR CHEAP GREEK HONEY

Where did you get this from? Honey in Crete sells for 12 euros a kilo and on the islands of Kythira and in the Cyclades for 24 euros a kilo.
I think you should be more worried about "Spanish" honey - a large amount of which is actually re-labeled Chinese honey.
Best regards
Norton.

 

[RoofTops]

MM's point 19 looks like a potentially good thing I think. Not the labelling bit but the part about "crop protection product authorisation". The problems there have been in places like France and Germany might mean that measures are tightened. Potentially, of course, the cynic in me thinks all this will just mean regulation and little benefit to beekeepers.

 

[Adam]

I'm bemused by the comments in red.

You do know that France is in the EU don't you? Even if that proposal gained any traction all the french beekeepers would put hives at the doors of the local council, the farmers would block the roads in sympathy, the truckers would block a few ports, and then we'll all go back to just how it was before....

Adam

 

[victor meldrew]

Lurid scaremongering Adam

I'm surprised that the resident scare monger hasn't got in first ?
Must be slipping

John Wilkinson

 

[MuswellMetro]

Where did you get this from? Honey in Crete sells for 12 euros a kilo and on the islands of Kythira and in the Cyclades for 24 euros a kilo.
I think you should be more worried about "Spanish" honey - a large amount of which is actually re-labeled Chinese honey.
Best regards
Norton.

nothing personal to greece, i could have used any EU country just against the Common Agricultural Policy

 

[MJBee]

In France a declaration of hive numbers and location(s) became compulsory from 1 Jan 2010.

Also if you intend to sell or even give away your honey you are required to register as an "enterprise"

As a (fairly) law abiding person I complied, the process was simple and quick and thus far has not generated any hassle or paperwork.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Mike....how does it work in France with say any large scale beekeepers, that are forever moving hives,maybe only for a couple of weeks to various crops,and also many splits and uniting.....do they have an endless stream of paperwork for every movment and every manipulation.

 

[psafloyd]

As a (fairly) law abiding person I complied, the process was simple and quick and thus far has not generated any hassle or paperwork.

I bet you are in the minority, MJB.

 

[MJBee]

Hivemaker - The declaration is the number and location of colonies on 1 January annually so the beekeeper can move them where he likes during the season.

psafloyd - Dead cert I know of one Brit beek who had a load of hassle registering his business and when this legislation came along he said s*d it I'll take the risk of getting caught!!

The Autumn edition of my association included a declaration form and a reminder to comply so they are taking it seriously - a 1st methinks

 

[Hivemaker.]

Thank you Mike,now to me that system seems to be even more pointless,very lax idea....so not much to worry about with that,more really just a yearly colony estimate(which is no bad thing)...but many could still be lost in the spring from jan 1st,and athough very unlikely....they could all be moved to different unregistered apairies on jan 2nd.

 

[VEG]

re of honey bees to certain active substances are carried out,

1. Welcomes the abovementioned Commission report of 28 May 2010; notes, however, that the current programmes come to an end in 2013 and is concerned about the numerous challenges and problems still faced by the European apiculture sector, among them marketing issues, price volatility, recruiting young beekeepers to the sector, the ageing profile of beekeepers in the European Union, decreasing numbers of colonies and the general difficulties emerging from multifactoral bee mortality;fixed price for honey

2. Calls on the Commission to respond positively to the requests from both Member States and operators, for example by improving statistical data in relation to production forecasts, including the application of the same quality requirements for honey, and improving and harmonising monitoring and research programmes for apiculture; EVERY BEEK WILL HAVE TO REGISTER

3. Calls on the Commission to consider, in the framework of the legislative proposal on agricultural quality policy, changing the rules on origin labelling of honey in order to avoid misleading information to consumers, especially in case of a blend of honeys originating from EU and non-EU countries;MAY ONLY BE CALLED ENGLISH HONEY etc no local names

4. Stresses the need to improve sanitary conditions for the product by harmonising border controls, especially for third-country imports, since low-quality honey imports, adulteration and honey substitutes distort the market and exert constant pressure on prices and the final quality of the product on the EU’s internal market; takes the view that the name of the product or any graphic or other visual element on the label or on the packaging of the product should make reference to honey only if at least 50 per cent of the sugar content originates from honey;YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BOTTLE UP IN YOUR KITCHENLEVELII CITY & GIULDS H&S FOOD PRODUCTION

5. Calls on the Commission to consider the consultation of beekeepers by European and national authorities as obligatory during the development of beekeeping programmes and of related legislation in order to ensure the effectiveness of those programmes and their timely implementation;LIKE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE

6. Calls on the Commission to draw up three-year programmes based on a declaration by all Member States of the number of hives actually registered rather than on estimated figures;SEE AGAIN ALL BEEHIVES REGISTERED

7. Recognises that the development of innovative and effective treatments against Varroa mites, implicated in considerable annual losses in certain regions, is of high importance; takes the view that there is a need to make effective veterinary treatments against Varroa mites and all kinds of related diseases more widely available throughout Europe; asks the Commission to introduce common guidelines regarding veterinary treatment in the sector, for which cooperation with beekeepers’ organisations is vital;ALL MUST USE APIVAR AMITRAZ

8. Calls on the Commission to adapt the scope and financing of European veterinary policy to take account of the specific nature of bees and beekeeping with a view to ensuring more effective bee-disease control and availability of effective and standardised veterinary medicine throughout the Union, in collaboration with beekeepers’ organisations;YOU WILL NEED YOUR BEES CERTIFIED BY A VET

9. Calls on the Commission to improve coordination of the various research programmes carried out in Member States with a view to establishing an action plan for tackling bee mortality; points out that this should include mainstreaming sustainable, pollinator‑friendly farming practices by avoiding monocultures without rotation;FUNDED BY BAYER OR SimlarO



14. Calls on the Commission to study, in agreement with Member States, and in coordination between veterinary services and beekeeping organisations, as already provided for in some Member States, the opportunities for the establishment of an EU veterinary guidance plan on bee health with a view to ensuring access to veterinary medicine where necessary, which would be financed under the European veterinary policy;EVERY ONE TO USE APIVAR AMITRAZ



18. Calls on the Commission to support the European apiculture sector in an even wider and coherent manner by using additional instruments in the future CAP, including measures to enhance biodiversity, mitigate the effects of climate change, preserve the heritage of national traditions and cultures which provide employment for many European families, and to safeguard and improve the quality and effective functioning of the market for apiculture products;SUBSIDY FOR CHEAP GREEK HONEY

19. Calls on the Commission to coordinate national monitoring programmes for labelling requirements and risk mitigation measures which should be included in plant protection product authorisation, as well as exposure monitoring programmes for plant protection products;test of honey before you can sell it

20.Calls on the Commission to promote the direct sale of apiculture products to consumers in the local marketplace;TELL THEM AND KEEP RECORDS OF wHERE YOU SELL YOUR HONEY SO THEY CAN TAX YOU

21. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commissio

I take it the quotes in red are just your interpretation of the document not actually based on known fact?

 

[Queens59]

What annoys me is...in the UK we stick to all the rules and regs. but abroad they ignore the bulk of them! Smoking ban here - sit i n a Cigar Bar in Brugge and be kippered (and a 'thank-you for smoking' sign above the door). Garden chemical banned here available in France...the list goes on. We always take it to the 'enth' degree, everyone else pick the bits they want and ignore the rest...

 

[katecanning]

Thanks Jimmy - good news and points 11 & 16 highly relevant to BBKA and their current policy...

 

[katecanning]

T&TVBKA reply to BBKA Exec's ADM 2011 Proposition

Sorry this is another long message and some of the passages are in bold and shouldn't but I can't seem to change them.

Please see below the T&TVBKA response to the BBKA Executive Committee ADM 2011 Proposition and their invitation to members to vote against our proposition proposition (their Strategic Review seems to have the same wording as the Supporting Notes to this BBKA Executive Committee Proposition):

24 November 2010

T&TVBKA Comments (in italics) on both the BBKA Executive Committee Proposition and their reaction to the T&TVBKA Proposition for the ADM 2011
1)

02/2011 BBKA Executive Committee Proposition
That the delegates support the current comprehensive review that BBKA Trustees are undertaking as part of its strategic development for 2011 and beyond of the way in which the BBKA should manage its intellectual property. This includes the use of its logo and maximises the benefits which can be gained from these assets and its reputation. In particular the Trustees ask ADM delegates to note the decisions already taken by the Trustees with respect to the cessation of BBKA endorsement of certain pesticides as outlined in the BBKA statement dated 16th November 2010.

It is difficult for ADM delegates to endorse a course of action which is so ill defined. Apart from the statement on the 16th of November, members were unaware that a review was taking place.
• We have not been informed of the terms of reference of this review – what its scope and objectives are
• We do not know who leads it, who is taking part, when it began and when it will finish.
• We do not know what it will cost or what it will produce.
• We could assume that the review will present a set of recommendations at the 2011 ADM, but we have not been told this.

A sizeable proportion of members feel that the BBKA’s reputation, and by association the members and their local association’s reputation, has already been damaged by the endorsement of pesticides. One could not imagine the RSPCA accepting funding from Huntingdon Life Sciences, the Ramblers accepting money from a motorway building company or Cancer Research UK taking money from a tobacco company. Reputational damage happens when there is no ethical alignment between the sponsor and the organization.

Supporting notes (in part)
“The four products currently subject to BBKA endorsement are today of declining commercial importance and the development of new classes of pesticide and application techniques means that the relationship with the plant protection industry should be reviewed.”

“Following discussion with the companies involved, the BBKA Trustees have decided that endorsement and related product specific payments will cease as soon as practically possible.”

The argument about the declining commercial value of the endorsed products needs to be compared against their current use. According to FERA, approximately 3 million hectares are annually sprayed with the endorsed products – that equates to one and a half times the size of Wales.

The Trustees do not preclude accepting funds in the future from either the crop protection industry in the guise of the CPA or individual companies nor other organisations involved in horticulture and agriculture, which are beneficiaries of honey bee activity.

If this statement was meant to allay the fears of members then it misinterprets their concerns. The concern is not with accepting endorsement monies for four specific insecticides produced by four companies, but for all insecticides produced by all companies which may be endorsed by the BBKA. It is not ethical for the flagship beekeeping association of the UK to enter into these arrangements. If the executive enter into further arrangements with any pesticide company then the debate will simply re-ignite.

2)
03/2011 Twickenham and Thames Valley with Mole Apiary Club
That the BBKA cease any commercial relationships with agrochemical or associated companies relating to the use of the BBKA logo, including all endorsement of pesticides (for money or any other form of remuneration) as soon as contractually possible.

Executive Comment
The above proposition if passed would mandate the Trustees in the following way.

1 To cease to endorse specific products and to receive payment for the use of the BBKA logo. As outlined in the BBKA statement of 16th November this practice has now ceased.

The executive comment is incorrect. The BBKA Strategic Review & Supporting Notes of the Executive Committee’s Proposition both explicitly state that the cessation of endorsement applies only for the four products currently endorsed. The T&TVBKA proposal seeks to preclude the practice of the BBKA endorsing any pesticides. No dates have been offered by the BBKA as to when the cessation will take place. This funding is routed through BBKA Enterprises, and as no accounts or financial plans have yet been published for BBKA Enterprises this year, the details of when the funding will cease and any intent to seek funding elsewhere are hidden from delegates and members.

2 It would also prevent the BBKA receiving money from the Agro-Chemical companies in any form. The Trustees, as outlined in our statement, are keen to engage with the industry in the widest sense to ensure they play their part in the good stewardship of the countryside for the benefit of bees and beekeeping. Whilst most engagement is likely to be in the form of meetings, lobbying and giving advice from the beekeeping perspective, it is possible that the Trustees might wish to require payment for services provided to these companies. By way of example, the Trustees may wish to invite companies to fund a future research colloquium, to exhibit at the BBKA Spring Convention or make a contribution to the BBKA Research Fund. These could be construed as a 'commercial relationship' and would be not be possible were this proposition to be passed. Moreover the Trustees do not want to be put in a position where they would in effect have to give more favourable financial treatment to one industry over other commercial organisations.

Not so. The proposal would preclude the licensing of the use of the logo to agro-chemical businesses for the commercial endorsement of pesticides. The Proposition does not inhibit donations or payments for services. It should be noted that actual use of the BBKA logo by the pesticide companies so far has been minimal.

It is hoped that the executive will respect the wishes of members and in future seek their endorsement ahead of any controversial arrangement being entered into. It is surprising that the executive are not sensitive to the potential undermining of research undertaken or public statements made when the public are aware of the financial support given to the BBKA by insecticide companies. Should the BBKA be in receipt of funding from pesticide companies when the Keele research is published, its credibility will be undermined if it has not been already.

It is stated in the Supporting Notes of the T&TVBKA Proposition, that they wish the BBKA to not only continue dialogue with the agro-chemical companies, they would like to see it carried out more effectively, ie:
• Monitoring of the usage instructions to farmers and contract sprayers needs to be improved
• Implementation of the code of practice needs to take place
• Member education in relation to spray poisoning needs to be carried out and the spray liaison officer network needs far greater support.
• The current programme of engagement with the particular pesticide companies has not been very effective in protecting bees from insecticides.
• The BBKA has a significant role to play in ensuring that training of farmers and crop sprayers includes strategies to minimize harm to bees and so engagement with the NFU, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, the CPA and others is essential.
• A more effective long term monitoring of the agro-chem companies would have revealed the erroneous and unauthorized statement published by Bayer over several years up to the present day, which implies that Biscaya (a neo-nicotinoid) had been endorsed by the BBKA.

The Trustees therefore invite the Delegates to vote against this proposition.

Does the very fact that the BBKA Trustees invite the Delegates to vote against this proposition show that the BBKA Executive have no intention of distancing themselves or the charity from accepting money for endorsement (or whatever guise they choose) from the agro-chem industry? The statement above from the BBKA saying:

“the Trustees ask ADM delegates to note the decisions already taken by the Trustees with respect to the cessation of BBKA endorsement of certain pesticides as outlined in the BBKA statement dated 16th November 2010.” “…. will cease as soon as practically possible.”…..
is merely a placebo statement.

Is it not plain that the BBKA intend not to:

“cease any commercial relationships with agrochemical or associated companies relating to the use of the BBKA logo, including all endorsement of pesticides (for money or any other form of remuneration) as soon as contractually possible.” ??

Please support the T&TVBKA proposition. UK honeybees need your support.
Kate Canning
Edit/Delete Message