Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001938/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR)
There is a growing global crisis in apiculture which is reflected in very high bee mortality. Against this backdrop, the situation in the European Union is becoming increasingly alarming. On Thursday, 12 September, ENVI Committee members rejected the Commission’s proposal to cut the maximum residue levels of certain pesticides and fungicides in imported food. The Committee rejected the proposal because these agricultural chemicals are not permitted in the EU. Imported products containing residues of substances not permitted in the EU should also therefore be covered by the ban on these products entering the EU market. This decision is of great importance as it bans the entry into the EU of agricultural products containing chemicals that are not permitted on our market.
Beekeepers warn that beeswax that has been contaminated with banned pesticides, such as the carcinogen Prepargite, are still entering the EU market, which is directly threatening the health of bees and of people consuming honey.
In connection with the above, I would like to address the following question to the Commission (Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Sante)):
What should the control authorities do when they identify the presence of banned, illegal and highly carcinogenic pesticides such as Prepargite in beeswax intended for direct contact with bees in hives or direct contact with honey intended for human consumption, bearing in mind that there are currently no prescribed limits on pesticides in beeswax?
Submitted: 3.10.2024