EU to discuss Hungarian initiative on honey, beekeepers

The European Parliament will soon discuss a subject which Hungary, as the third biggest producer of honey, deems important but which also has a salient impact on agriculture and the environment throughout the bloc. The Hungarian initiative seeks to address problems faced by beekeepers across the EU, MEP Norbert Erős, of the ruling Fidesz party, said on Sunday.

The European Parliament’s professional committees are currently discussing the Hungarian report which is expected to go before the agricultural committee in November, Erős, who submitted the report, told a press conference.

Imported Chinese honey of often dubious origin is causing Hungarian and other European beekeepers a headache,

he said, adding that proposals include tightening controls of honey imports and banning filtering and the addition of synthetic resin with a view to concealing the product’s geographical origin.

Erős said almost 500 amendment proposals have been submitted to the report by MEPs, indicating the significance of the issue.

As we wrote before, significantly, Hungary provides 10% of the European Union’s full honey production, which means an amount of about 20-30 thousand tonnes of honey per year. But, despite the major decrease in the production this year, the prices did not increase because of the availability of the Chinese honey.

As we wrote on August, Great Taste, the world’s most coveted blind-tasted food awards, which celebrates the very best in food and drink, has announced the Great Taste stars of 2017. Out of 12,300 products to be judged Hungaroharvest Kft. was awarded 2 golden star for its Dr Honey Premium Flavoured Honey with Apricot Brandy and 1 golden star for its Dr Honey Premium Honeydew Honey, read more HERE.

Source: MTI