Faro, Portugal, July 15, 2024 (Lusa) - The contribution of beekeeping to the conservation of biodiversity in Portugal is to be recognised with the allocation of European Union funds for which applications are open until 28 August, the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR), the government agency for distributing such funds in the region, announced on Monday.
The Algarve CCDR pointed out that support for beekeepers is being granted through "applications for the intervention... 'Support for beekeeping for biodiversity' under the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (PEPAC)" - which has an amount of €20 million available and has already received more than 300 applications nationally.
The aim of the measure is to "contribute to the natural pollination of plants, promoting the conservation and recovery of the biodiversity of native flora, supporting the maintenance of the bee population," explains the Algarve CCDR in a statement.
The application process began on 28 June and runs for two months; interested beekeepers can thus apply for support until 28 August, explained the Algarve CCDR, whose region is one where the drought of recent years has had a negative impact on beekeeping.
According to data from Portugal's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, "more than 300 applications have already been submitted nationwide for this support" - which has a total available budget of €20 million, for which "natural or legal persons, of a public or private nature, who carry out beekeeping activities" are eligible, the CCDR emphasises.
The regional commission stresses that only "one application per beneficiary will be allowed during the three-year commitment period" and adds that "beekeepers must be registered as IFAP beneficiaries" and update their Bank Identification Number (NIB), email address and the information contained in the Beekeeping Activity Register.
"The support is granted in the form of a non-refundable grant, in the form of a fixed amount, depending on the bracket the beneficiary is in: with between 10 and less than 25 hives, the support is 125 euros and for those with between 50 and less than 150 hives the aid is 250 euros," it states.
The same source added that the support will be €625 for those with between 50 and 149 hives, and €1,324 for beneficiaries with between 150 and 249 hives. Beneficiaries with between 250 and 499 hives are eligible for aid totalling €2,060, while those with 500 or more could receive support totalling €3,000, it adds.
The CCDR points out that, in the Algarve, "beekeeping is of significant importance, which is reflected in a production of more than 1,500 tonnes of honey per year, carried out by more than 1,200 registered beekeepers, the vast majority of whom are professionals."
The district of Faro (which coincides with the Algarve region) is the part of the country with "the highest proportion of professional beekeepers" - that is, producers with more than 150 hives - said the CCDR.
The Algarve has in recent years been afflicted by drought, which has meant a shortage of food for bees in the fields, resulting in declines in production or even the loss of hives.
MHC/ARO // ARO.
Lusa
