The number of registered beekeepers in Belgium continues to rise. In 2022, it passed the 10,000 professional and amateur mark, the federal food chain safety agency (Afsca) said on Saturday to mark the occasion of World Bee Day.
The number of beekeepers registered last year also marks a 789 increase compared to 2021. However, the Afsca – short for Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain – warns that the mortality rate of bees is increasing.
After a slight drop in the mortality rate for the period 2020-2021 (17.76%), it rose again to 21.8% for the period 2021-2022, reports Afsca, which monitored 194 beekeepers as part of this.
“In 2022, the parasite varroa mite continued to be the most frequent cause of bee mortality,” the agency says.
“In addition, four outbreaks of European foulbrood (EFB) and two outbreaks of American foulbrood (AFB) were also identified in 2022. When these diseases are detected, the bee colony is destroyed in order to avoid any spread to other hives,” it continues.
The Afsca recalls that professional and amateur beekeepers are required to register in order to ensure the health of the bees through regular hive inspections, in particular to identify possible disease outbreaks.
The agency visits beekeepers three times a year to assess the mortality rate of bees and to monitor certain diseases. It also tests honey for the presence of residues or contaminants.
In addition to visits to beekeepers, the Afsca also controls the use of phytosanitary products by professionals.
The incorrect use can have harmful effects on the bee population, which is already in decline, and cause acute pesticide poisoning in honey bees. Three cases of suspected mortality were investigated in 2022, but no toxic substances were detected.
