WRITTEN QUESTION E-1578/02

by Astrid Lulling (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(4 June 2002)

Subject: Monitoring the situation of beekeeping in the European Union

On 13 December 2001 the European Parliament adopted a resolution concerning the Commission report on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 laying down general rules for the application of measures to improve the production and marketing of honey(1).

This resolution was a real wake-up call as regards the appalling situation of beekeepers and their hives.

The Council responded to the European Parliament's call, for example at the Agriculture Council of 18 February 2002.

Unfortunately, the European Parliament resolution was not similarly received by the Commission.

The situation is continuing to deteriorate.

The newspaper France Soir of 7 May 2002, for example, reported that in the Grand Ouest region of France 70 % of honey production had already been lost as a result of fungicides applied to the wheatfields.

When wheat, maize and sunflower seeds are sown they are coated in a precautionary fungicide (Sphere, Péris, etc.) which protects the seeds. But these poisons are subsequently dispersed in the air and kill bees gathering pollen from early flowers. Bees that gather pollen from these flowers die.

If this continues at the same rate beekeepers believe that in two to three years' time there will be no more bees, which means no more pollination, so no more fruit and other crops.

However, we shall still be able to buy (poor-quality) honey outside the European Community.

What does the Commission intend to do to solve this economic, environmental and human problem, to which the European Parliament drew our attention in its resolution of 13 December 2001?

(1) COM(2001) 70 final C5-0398/2001 2001/2156(COS).

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2002)

In February 2001 the Commission passed on to the Council and to Parliament its report(1) on the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1221/97 laying down general rules for the application of measures to improve the production and marketing of honey(2).

In April 2001 the Commission adopted Regulation (EC) No 704/2001(3) amending Regulation (EC) No 2300/97(4) on detailed rules to implement Council Regulation (EC) No 1221/97. Also in April 2001, the Council deemed both the follow-up to the report and the simplification of the procedures for implementing national programmes on the production and marketing of honey to be satisfactory.

In December 2001 Parliament adopted a resolution on the February 2001 Commission report and called on the Commission to take seven steps in support of European beekeeping: to set up a common organisation of markets with direct income aid and a pollination premium; to include beekeeping in the compensatory payments scheme provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 1259/1999 of 17 May 1999

establishing common rules for direct support schemes under the common agricultural policy(5); to transfer the varroasis control measure to veterinary legislation; to grant aid for promoting quality honey; to increase the budget for, and the share of, Community part-financing; to adopt a harmonised and flexible approach in implementing national programmes; and to grant aid for investment in restocking material.

In February 2002 the Council noted majority Member State support for a number of the measures proposed by the Parliament resolution and called on the Commission to expand its activities in this sector.

The budget heading allocated to honey programmes has been increased by 10 % in 2002 and the Commission has amended the Decisions relating to the programmes accordingly. This budgetary increase has been maintained in the preliminary draft budget for next year.

Moreover, France's 2001/02 marketing year national programme which the Commission approved in July 2001 provides for studies on how plant protection products affect honey quality. The 2002/03 marketing year programme includes aid for investment in restocking material.

The evaluations which Member States are required to carry out under Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market(6) include assessing side effects on bees and, if necessary, taking measures to prevent death among bees. If this is done properly, incidents such as that referred to in the Honourable Member's question should not happen.

The countries authorised with regard to imports of honey into the European Union are listed in Part XIV of the Annex to Commission Decision 94/278/EC, as last amended by Decision 2002/337/EC(7).

The list comprises only countries whose plan for monitoring residues, and particularly pesticide residues, in honey has been approved by the Commission under Decision 2000/159/EC of 8 February 2000(8) on the provisional approval of residue plans of third countries according to Council Directive 96/23/EC(9), as last amended by Decision 2002/336/EC(10).

In April 2002 the Commission held several meetings with representatives from European beekeepers' organisations and announced improvement through more uniform implementation of programmes. The Commission is currently examining a possible measure to promote quality honey at European level.

(1) COM(2001) 70 final.

(2) OJ L 173, 1.7.1997 (Regulation amended by Regulation (EC) No 2070/98, OJ L 265, 30.9.1998).

(3) OJ L 98, 7.4.2001.

(4) OJ L 319, 21.11.1997.

(5) OJ L 160, 26.3.1999.

(6) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.

(7) OJ L 116, 3.5.2002.

(8) OJ L 51, 24.2.2000.

(9) Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC, OJ L 125, 23.5.1996.

(10) OJ L 116, 3.5.2002.