The EU support, doubled by contributions from the Member States, will apply to national apiculture programmes starting on 1 August 2019 and running until 31 July 2022, writes the European Commission in a press release. These programmes are designed at the national level in cooperation with the sector with the aim to improve the conditions for the apiculture sector and the marketing of their products. Measures include for example education to beekeepers, support to start a beekeeping business, fighting against parasites damaging hives, and research or measures on improving honey quality.
In 2018, the EU had over 17.5 million hives divided over 600,000 beekeepers. Beekeeping is practiced in all EU Member States and the European Union is the world's second largest honey producer. Honeybee colonies are essential for agriculture and environment, ensuring plant reproduction by pollination, while beekeeping participates to the development of rural areas.