Austrian beekeepers are delighted - European Parliament decides in favor of transparent honey labeling
In a landmark decision, the European Parliament has voted in favor of transparent honey labeling, which represents a milestone for the European beekeeping industry. Austrian beekeepers welcome this development with great joy, as they can continue to guarantee the quality and authenticity of their honey.
The new regulation stipulates that clear information on the geographical origin of honey must be provided on honey packaging with immediate effect. This measure is crucial in order to give consumers the opportunity to make informed decisions when buying honey and at the same time to strengthen the appreciation of regional products.
Alexander Bernhuber, head of the negotiations for the new honey labeling in the European Parliament, has campaigned very intensively for the precise indication of the origin of honey. It was very important to him to put a stop to the adulteration of honey.
Thanks to his strong personal commitment in the European Parliament, the diverse interests in the concert of European honey quality were ultimately decided by a convincing majority in the interests of consumers and safety when buying honey. In future, the countries of origin will be indicated on the label in descending order with the corresponding percentages. The usual "EU/non-EU honey" will therefore be history.
The Austrian beekeeping industry, together with Members of the European Parliament, has actively campaigned for such a regulation in order to emphasize the outstanding quality of domestic honeys. By precisely labeling the geographical origin, consumers can be sure that the honey has been produced according to strict Austrian quality standards.
"This decision by the European Parliament is a great success for the Austrian beekeeping industry. Transparent labeling enables consumers to make informed decisions and at the same time supports domestic beekeeping," commented Wolfgang Pointecker, Chairman of Biene Österreich and President of the Austrian Beekeepers' Association, and Reinhard Hetzenauer, President of the Austrian Beekeepers' Association.
The new regulation not only contributes to the promotion of the domestic beekeeping industry, but also strengthens consumer confidence in the origin and quality of honey. The Austrian beekeeping industry is therefore looking forward to the implementation of this decision. Some points that are still unclear can now be clarified in the Parliament's trilogue negotiations with the Council of Member States and the European Commission so that the law can still enter into force in 2024.
