Fake honey
6.6.2023
Question for written answer E-001798/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marina Mesure (The Left)
Bee colonies, which are essential for agriculture and biodiversity, are under threat from human activity, the spread of the Asian hornet and parasites such as the Varroa mite. As a result, the EU’s entire beekeeping sector is also under threat since these factors affect honey production. Compounding this are economic difficulties inflicted by unfair competition made possible through honey laundering and obsolete test criteria for ascertaining the authenticity of honey.
According to the findings of a Commission report published on 23 March, of the 320 honey samples tested by the Joint Research Centre, the Commission’s official laboratory, 46% had been laced with sugar syrups made from rice, wheat or sugar beet and sold at giveaway prices. This is despite the fact that current EU rules on quality standards and labelling stipulate that nothing can be added to honey.
- 1.In light of this, is the Commission planning to revise its criteria for testing imported honey, banning microfiltration first and foremost, as this process renders pollen completely untraceable?
- 2.Is it planning to make the Joint Research Centre's analysis method universally applicable and to impose major routine monitoring to put an end to the production of fake honey?
Submitted:6.6.2023