site.btaConsultative Council on Apiculture Discusses Bee Mortality, Aid Schemes

The Consultative Council on Apiculture (CCA) discussed reports about high winter mortality in bee colonies and ways to support the sector, the Agriculture and Food Ministry reported on Thursday. Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Stefan Burdzhev pledged support for the sector through the de minimis scheme.

The participants in the meeting heard an analysis by the Executive Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding concerning the quality of queen bees and discussed control over breeding organizations. Speakers reported growing interest in an EU intervention in support of organic beekeeping, with 763 Bulgarian applicants bidding for such aid for 142,061 bee colonies in 2024, compared with 685 applicants seeking aid for 124,729 colonies in 2023. The aid received in 2024 amounted to BGN 8.4 million.

The CCA members were briefed on the support available for natural pollination. Stronger interest was reported in support for pollination in mountainous areas and protected sites of the NATURA 2000 network, while aid for mobile beekeeping was said to be less appealing. Stakeholders were urged to be more active, including in making reasoned proposals to streamline aid schemes so that more beekeepers can benefit from them.