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- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I attend the opening ceremony of the 3rd Cyprus Honey Festival, which I have put under my auspices and which takes place in the beautiful area of the Old Port of Limassol. An event that is now well established and is an attraction for many visitors who either wish to gain knowledge about bees and beekeeping, or simply to combine the tasty enjoyment of the delicacies offered and entertainment, with the creation of beautiful memories and family moments.
At a time when the effects of climate change are becoming more and more evident and the food crisis has begun to plague various regions of the planet, the role of bees in food production and biodiversity conservation is becoming vital. The interest of young Cypriots to engage in beekeeping and the uniqueness of Cypriot honey in aromas and flavours, due to the diverse flora of our land, are additional factors that oblige the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment to make beekeeping a priority and include it in its policy for support through EU and national development programmes.
A key tool to support beekeeping is the Beekeeping Programme included in the Strategic Plan 2023-2027, through which actions aimed at improving the general conditions of production and marketing of hive products are subsidised, with an aid amount of €340,000 per year. Support is of course also given through various other agri-environmental programmes as well as through the state aid for diesel fuel, reducing the cost of nomadic beekeeping.
The Pancyprian Beekeepers' Association contributes significantly not only to the selection of the actions to be supported, but also to the implementation, as the contractor, of the actions concerning the training of beekeepers and public awareness of the importance of bees.
The Pancyprian Beekeepers' Association contributes significantly not only to the selection of the actions to be supported, but also to the implementation, as the contractor, of the actions concerning the training of beekeepers and the raising of public awareness of the importance of bees. With the excellent cooperation that has been developed with the Pancyprian Beekeepers Association and the other bodies, we look forward to achieving the objectives we have set for the protection of bees and the development of the beekeeping sector.
Friends,
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the organizers for the excellent organization of the Festival and wish the visitors a beautiful and unforgettable three days.
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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