Apiculture
Organic products are controlled and certified under the system of Control and Certification (Reg. E.E. 2018/848). In addition to the rules regarding location, nutrition, beekeeping practices, and dealing with enemies, beekeeping units that follow effective beekeeping practices are certified and treated for bee diseases. To be more specific, apiaries must be located in areas where organic crops and/or native vegetation primarily provide nectar and pollen. This radius must be within a radius of three kilometers of their location.
When bees’ survival is threatened due to climatic conditions, they can only be artificially fed organic honey, organic sugar syrup or organic sugar.
The mutilation of queen bee wings, such as cutting the tip, is prohibited.
In order to control Varroa destructors, beekeepers must use natural materials. Formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and oxalic acid can be used.
Products produced by beekeepers (honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, and wax) can only be marketed as organic if organic production rules have been followed for at least one year.
If you wish to be active in the production of organic products, follow the steps below:
- Submit to BIOHELLAS a relevant application for inclusion in the Organic Products Control and Certification System. You can receive the application as well as the other membership forms by post or alternatively they will be sent to you by e-mail upon your request. The relevant application for inclusion, among other things, should include a description of the unit and the commitments derived from national and community legislation.
- At the same time, you will be informed about the cost of certification and about the Regulation of Certification Services posted on our site.
- Along with the membership documents, send the contract, completed and signed in two copies.
- Make the necessary notifications to the competent authorities, as provided for by national legislation.
