Hungarian beekeepers demand more funding and stricter market oversight

The National Hungarian Beekeeping Association (OMME) is calling for increased financial support and stricter regulatory oversight to protect the domestic beekeeping industry. In discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the association emphasized that beekeeping provides essential ecosystem services through pollination and holds significant importance for rural development.

Beekeepers face several simultaneous challenges, including climate change, deteriorating bee habitats, unfavorable plant protection practices, and rising health risks for bee populations. Additionally, the industry is struggling with high production costs paired with low wholesale honey prices.

To safeguard the market, OMME is requesting more consistent enforcement regarding honey imports from outside the EU and is advocating for direct, bee-family-based subsidies. The association also highlighted the need to reduce bureaucracy and address new biological threats, such as the Asian hornet, the Asian small hive beetle, and the small hive beetle.