For our company – as a member of SETSEM- it is a great honor that two executive members of our company are part of the Scientific Working Group, contributing with their expertise and experience to the development of new plans for the future of Greek honey.

By decision of the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Margaritis Schinas, and following a recommendation by the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr. Giannis Andrianos, a Scientific Working Group has been established on Greek Honey and Beekeeping Products.

The new Working Group consists of officials from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, ELGO-DIMITRA, EFET, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), members of the academic community, and representatives of the sector’s production and cooperative organizations. Its mission is to develop evidence-based proposals to strengthen Greek beekeeping and protect Greek honey.

Among other responsibilities, the Working Group will formulate proposals on:

• protecting the income of Greek beekeepers,
• combating adulteration, the misrepresentation of imported honey as Greek, and practices that mislead consumers,
• protecting and promoting the indigenous genetic stock of Greek honeybees,
• leveraging modern digital tools and artificial intelligence applications to improve traceability and enhance market oversight,
• certifying and promoting the distinctive characteristics of Greek honey and other beekeeping products,
• strengthening biodiversity and supporting pollinators, and
• updating the sector’s regulatory framework.

Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Giannis Andrianos stated:

“Greek beekeeping is a particularly important and dynamic sector of primary production, making a significant contribution both to the rural economy and to the preservation of biodiversity. The establishment of the Scientific Working Group, approved, endorsed and supported by Minister Margaritis Schinas, who has first-hand knowledge of the sector since Chalkidiki is Greece’s leading beekeeping region, represents a substantial step toward developing a comprehensive strategy that will support Greek beekeepers, protect Greek honey from unfair practices, and enhance the quality, credibility and international competitiveness of Greek beekeeping products. Through the cooperation of the scientific community, the competent public authorities and representatives of the sector, we are developing proposals that address today’s challenges while harnessing the opportunities offered by technology and innovation for the benefit of Greek beekeeping and consumers.”