When saving ecological diversity meets business

by - Tsvetomira Dichevska

Bees are some of the most important insects in the ecological system. Their role in pollinating one third of all of what people eat is a significant factor in preserving the integrity of the flora and fauna. Their interaction with all elements of the ecosystem makes them essential, not only for humans but also for animals. A large portion of animal species and insects feed on plants that are pollinated by bees, which is favourable for all the goods that people consume – from food to clothing and paper.

Over the centuries, bees [2] have proven to be of great importance to mankind, not only as honey producers, but also as the main preservers of ecological diversity. It did not take long before people began training these insects to behave in ways that favour them. The emergence of apiculture as one of the main agricultural branches shows how significant the value of bees is.

In Bulgaria people of different ages and professions are involved in apiculture, but mainly these are people who have free time. One such man is a businessman from the town of Burgas, who has been raising bees for pleasure. After some years his hobby became a business, and he applied for support from EU agricultural funds – the National Apiculture Programme 2014-2020 [3]. Starting with 72 hives the beekeeper received the financial support necessary to expand his business to 236 hives.

The process of honey extraction in Bulgaria

This beekeeper’s story began with the constant urging of his friends to explore and develop the opportunities. They understood that his beekeeping hobby could turn into much more than a side activity. One day, after repeated refusals, the businessman agreed and decided to try to realise his goals. But the road to development was difficult. He encountered major problems as early as the application process. It was not an easy task for him to submit the application because it had to be accompanied by accounting statements, invoices and other types of documentation, which had to prove that the activity and the hives he owned were real. The beekeeper from Burgas found that he was unable to completely satisfy the regulatory requirements because he had bought 50 hives from America. The documentation [4], which he submitted along with the application was insufficient. He was required to submit additional statements, and the entire procedure became more difficult than expected.

However, for the beekeeper from Burgas, all the difficulties along the way were worth it. The money he managed to invest helped him expand the business, which he had initially started as a hobby. Indicative of his activity is the willingness to seek alternative ways to improve bee families by replacing their wooden hives with lightweight ones made of plastic that are better adapted to environmental and meteorological changes.

After he managed to develop his business to the existing 236 hives, the beekeeper realised that his new situation would require much more work. In addition to the manual labour, he had to enrich his knowledge because the large number of bees required great effort in order to avoid diseases and maintain the bees’ integrity. The environment is not always favourable, and therefore the beekeeper had to adapt to it in order to preserve the bee families.

The investment this beekeeper made motivated other people around him to submit applications under the programme. The beekeeper admits that he constantly urges other colleagues [to participate], and says he has no regrets about the application procedure, for though it is not easy, it is worthwhile because one can develop one’s hobby into something bigger and realise one’s goals.

The only disadvantage, according to the beekeeper from Burgas, is the new criteria for young farmers going through the application process for the beekeeping program. The requirements set by the Bulgarian authorities on the allocation of funds invested by the European Union are becoming more and more stringent and specific [5], which limits the possibilities Bulgarian beekeepers have to develop their activity.

The meeting with this representative of the beekeeping community shows how varied the uses of bees are in the agricultural spectrum. While some people, such as the protagonist in this story, are looking for benefits from beekeeping and are specifically focused on business, others are trying to look at this activity as significant for the whole environment. Women beekeepers in Bulgaria, who account for approximately 30 % of the total number of active beekeepers, have started as amateurs. Their goal is not so much to develop a business but rather to contribute to the ecological balance.

Seen from this perspective, it may seem as if the beekeepers are the keepers of the natural balance, clothed as businessmen. But in reality the picture is different. Many companies [6] suffer losses in honey production. Some of the biggest companies in the USA have stated that the number of bee families has been constantly decreasing, and this may result in very negative effects for mankind [7]. That is why Albert Einstein said: “If the bees disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live.” The more pollination, the more plants, animals and people [8].

The disappearing of bees is a major topic in Europe. The EU is determined to sue the companies that use neonicotinoids [9], which negatively affect bees’ coordination. Lawyer Dominique Doyle says that there is no excuse to continue using them. The abuse of the pesticide regulation due to emergency measures endangers the bee ecosystem, and this is compelling the representatives of ClientEarth, PANEurope and Bee Life to take immediate action.

And while the number of bees progressively decreases as they are destroyed by chemicals and natural conditions, Bulgarian beekeepers face great difficulties in creating their own new bee families. It is unreasonable to limit the activity of people whose initiative helps preserve the environment. It is therefore unclear whether there will be more Bulgarian beekeepers risking time and effort in trying to develop beekeeping or whether immediate measures will be taken to improve the life of the most important insects for all creatures on Earth – the bees.

The number of bee families decreases significantly

*All images in this article belong to the author.

Read more about the support and needs of Bulgarian beekeepers [10], presented by Maria Gabriel, MEP and EU Commissioner nominee.

References:

[1]Benjamin, Alison. Why are bees important? You asked Google – here’s the answer // The Guardian, 17.06.2015. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/17/why-are-bees-important

[2]Beekeeping // Rashafim, 2017. Available at: http://reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/topics/beekeeping.htm

[3] European money for Bulgarian agriculture // EU Structural Funds, 31.10.2016. Available at: https://www.eufunds.bg/silistra/item/16036-evropeiski-pari-za-balgarskoto-selsko-stopanstvo

[4] Measure 112 and Beekeeping // Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, 2017. Available at: http://www.naas.government.bg/bg/%D0%92%D1%8A%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%B8_%D0%B8_%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8/2340

[5] Requirements for applicants under the “Young Farmer” measure // EU programmes, 2017. Available at: http://evroprogrami.com/polezno/mnenieto-na-konsultanta/iziskvaniya-kam-kandidatite-po-myarka-mlad-fermer/

[6]Hagopian, Joahim. Death and Extinction of the Bees // Global Research, 24.03.2017. Available at: http://www.globalresearch.ca/death-and-extinction-of-the-bees/5375684

[7]What Happens if All the Bees Die? // YouTube: AsapSCIENCE, 25.03.2015. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JilYBVrFiLA

[8]Rodgers, Paul. Einstein and the Bees. Should You Worry? // Forbes, 09.09.2014. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulrodgers/2014/09/09/einstein-and-the-bees-should-you-worry/#38666f0a8157

[9]Bee Emergency Call: Hearing at European Court of Justice on Bayer / Syngenta vs. European Commission on the neonicotinoids ban // Pesticide Action Network, 15.02.2017. Available at: http://www.pan-europe.info/press-releases/2017/02/bee-emergency-call-hearing-european-court-justice-bayersyngenta-vs-european

[10] Terzieva, Ekaterina. Beekeepers are supported under “Young Farmer” and the investment measure // Agro News, 12.02.2015. Available at: http://agronovinite.com/podpomagat-pchelarite-po-mlad-fermer-i-myarkata-za-investitsii/

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