Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo announced that during this month, through a funding scheme, Maltese and Gozitan beekeepers were given support in the fight against the challenges they faced last year due to the increase in the price of sugar, climate change and the spread of the eastern hornet (Vespa orientalis).
The scheme was intended to compensate beekeepers for the higher costs associated with maintaining their bee colonies due to the lack of rain and long periods of drought. In addition, the funding is also serving as an incentive to invest in special traps to reduce the number of bumblebees, insects that attack bees and weaken their colonies, especially between August and September.
During a visit to Nicky Zammit, a beekeeper and President of the Maltese Honey Cooperative, Minister Anton Refalo stressed that this incentive demonstrates the Government’s commitment to protecting the beekeeping sector and supporting beekeepers who contribute so much to our agriculture and environment.
“Through this assistance, we have not only continued to protect Maltese honey production, but we are also addressing the crucial challenges facing beekeepers. This is a clear example of how we are continuing to strengthen and preserve the beekeeping sector which is so important to our country,” concluded Minister Refalo.
