Decline in honey production

Honey production has been severely affected by the recent drought. Although Romania is the fourth largest European honey producer, currently boasting 1.47 million bee colonies and some 40 000 beekeepers, production fell sharply this year by around 30% from between 22 000 and 24 000 tonnes of honey to an estimated 16 000-17 000 tonnes. The drought has also caused a depopulation of bee colonies, over 150 000 having suffered from lack of fodder and adverse climatic conditions with abrupt changes of temperature to from 1-5 degrees Celsius night up to 40 degrees during the day. The use of neonicotinoid pesticides has also adversely affected production. Beekeepers have accordingly requested financial assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure sufficient fodder reserves.

In the Commission’s view, what action should be taken by the Romanian authorities to assist beekeepers affected by the decline in honey production?