The Strategic Plan for Beekeeping in the Azores, a key document for the sustainable development of regional honey, will be approved in June, announced the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry, João Ponte.
 
The working group responsible for preparing this Plan received a total of about two dozen contributions during the public consultation process from individuals, legal persons and industry partners. They will now be analysed to be later included in the final version of the beekeeping plan.
 
Beekeeping plays a very important role in the agricultural sector due to the contribution of bees as natural pollinators, thus increasing the profitability of farms. They are also important for the pollination of other plants, preserving them and, consequently, contributing to the balance of the ecosystem and the maintenance of biodiversity.
 
This plan presents four strategic goals: ensure and promote agricultural health; promote the sharing of training and technical-scientific knowledge; promote and reinforce associations towards the dynamics and innovation of the beekeeping sector; encourage the promotion of products and find new markets.
 
After the approval of the Strategic Plan for Beekeeping, the Regional Government will promote an amendment to the Regional Legislative Decree regulating the beekeeping activity, so as to adapt it to the reality and needs of the sector.
 
This legislative amendment will be preceded by a broad debate involving associations, cooperatives and beekeepers in order to reach a consensus on positions.
 
There are currently 449 beekeepers in the Azores.