The new EC Regulation 834/2007 came into force in January 2009, replacing the previous regulation 2091/91, in force since 1993.
The purpose of the certification of the European Union is that we all understand the same for organic products and help to consumers to establish a relationship based on trust, since in many cases it doesn´t exist a personal knowledge of the producer.
Beekeeper has to keep written information about his/her work, amount of beehives,treatments and detailing every buy and sell, in order to prove a right work according to organic rules. At least once per year is visited by an inspector, which can take product samples, to determine if there was any contamination ( fraud or accidental environmental pollution).
The basis of work in apiculture products must ensure both respect for the environment and to the bees.
The hives should be placed in areas which provide nectar and pollen sources coming form organic farming within a radius of three kilometers. It´s also allowed if nectar or pollen coming from not treated wild -forests , i.e., with low environmental impact.
All beewax used or bought should come from their own hives or organic certification.
The management of bee health should focus on disease prevention, as well as specific measures for cleaning and disinfection. For example, in case of
Bee in flower
infection with Varroa Destructor, may be used: formic, lactic, acetic, oxalic acid and menthol, thymol, eucalyptol or camphor.
For the renewal of apiaries, only 10% per yearof queens and swarms of an organic production unit, may be replaced by non-organic bees. They must be placed in hives with combs of organic wax.
“Only in case of catastrophic circumstances / exceptional weather conditions, honey bees can be fed with organic or organic sugar, which must be authorized by the competent authority.
After one year following organic rules, beekeeper can received the approval for usic organic stamp for their products.
Packaging organic bee products
Organic honey.
Stainless steel for all the tools used in the process.
Temperature of the honey as low as possible and always below 40 º C, stored away from light in a dry and ventilated area.
HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural rate) must be less than 10 mg / kg just at the time of packaging.
New European Union logo and labeling in organic apiculture products
New logo for all organic products replaces previous one starting next july 2010.
EU organic logo
Numerical code authority, for example, EN-ECO-016-CL, must appear in the labelling.
Place of production, clarifying if it´s produced in EU -countries or out of those countries.
