The European Beekeepers Association (EBA, headquartered in Slovenia) is protesting a preliminary decision by the European Commission to increase the duty-free honey import quota from Ukraine from 6,000 tons to 35,000 tons per year.

The EBA has called for postponing this decision until more robust honey quality control systems are implemented, according to the association.

The EBA argues that the European honey market is currently facing growing competition from cheaper imported honey, often of questionable quality and unclear origin, due to the lack of effective control mechanisms.

In its letter to the European Commission, the EBA highlighted several legislative gaps that enable honey adulteration. European beekeepers are particularly concerned about insufficient border controls, weak traceability, and the absence of unified methods for verifying honey authenticity at the EU level.

While the EBA supports aid to Ukraine, it warns that any new trade agreement must also consider the interests of European farmers, especially in the sensitive beekeeping sector.

Reference source: http://surl.li/gkbirdcxe2