MP Ferhat presents concerns of Rhodope Beekeepers' Association to Minister

 The association's statement was conveyed by New Left Party MP Özgür Ferhat to the Minister of Agriculture and Food, addressing the dire state of honey production and the lack of sufficient government support.

Honey production in 2023 saw a dramatic 70% decrease. This sharp decline has been attributed to various factors, including the impacts of climate change, devastating wildfires, and extreme weather events in Rodopi. These conditions have severely disrupted beekeeping operations.

The consequences of these challenges go beyond the economic sustainability of the sector, threatening the nation’s food security, ecological balance, and biodiversity. Bees, as the primary pollinators, play a vital role in maintaining natural ecosystems and supporting agricultural production. Without timely intervention, the effects could extend beyond beekeepers, impacting the entire agricultural food sector with long-term repercussions.

MP Özgür Ferhat stressed that without political action, the future of beekeeping in Greece is at risk, which could lead to an increase in honey imports and a decline in the quality of honey consumed by Greek citizens.

The Rodopi Beekeepers' Association has compiled a comprehensive file, detailing the scale of the damage. The report includes:

Meteorological data proving extreme weather conditions.
A report from the beekeeping center on the impact of these conditions on production.
Damage reports from the Fire Brigade concerning the 2023 fires.
Documentation from local beekeeping cooperatives verifying the decrease in honey production.
The association is calling for small-scale financial support (de minimis aid) for beekeepers, requesting help from European Union funds and other relevant resources. They urge government institutions to take immediate steps to address the issues and ensure the survival of the beekeeping profession.