Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
is in Annex I, Part C. Of major concern here is paragraph 4.2, which pertains to the
siting of apiaries and which determines whether you can produce organic honey or not.
This paragraph states that the siting of apiaries must:
a.
ensure enough natural nectar, honeydew and pollen sources for bees and
access to water;
b.
be such that, within a radius of 3 km from the apiary site, nectar and
pollen sources consist
essentially
[my italics] of organically produced crops
and/or spontaneous vegetation according to the requirements of Article 6
and Annex I
*
of this regulation, and crops not subject to the provisions of
this Regulation, but treated with low environmental impact methods such
as for example, those described in programs developed under Regulation
(EEC) No 2078/92(5)
*
which cannot significantly affect the beekeeping
production as being organic.
c.
maintain enough distance from any non agricultural production sources
possibly leading to contamination, for example, urban centres, motorways,
industrial areas, waste dumps, waste incinerators etc. The inspection
authorities or bodies shall establish measures to ensure this requirement.
(
*
These further references define organic agriculture and low environmental impact
methods, respectively. The latter is, in my opinion, an excellent method of farming for
those who cannot meet the organic regulations. You will find that all the regulations
refer to other regulations
ad nauseam
. Although admittedly providing a comprehensive
and logical regulation base, the regulations do, however, take some reading.)
The above requirements do not apply to areas where flowering is not taking place or to
when the hives are dormant (for example, in southern or eastern Spain).
The important observation in these regulations is the 3 km (approximately 2 miles)
limit. This really means 6 km (4 miles) without pollution of any kind and, even in the
wild areas of Spain, this is not easy to comply with - there is always one little isolated
household where the owners spray their cabbages or whatever. It is here, I think,
that a sensible interpretation of the word 'essentially' comes into play: local certifying
authorities will have to determine each site on its own merits.
