An esteemed bee expert has rated Germany’s chances to organise a global apiculture summit as promising after the Central European country revealed its candidacy.
Biologist Jeff Pettis, who heads the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations, reacted to Germany’s bid to become the location of Apimondia in 2029 by saying: “Now that the Germans have thrown their hat in the ring, other potential host countries might rethink their decision to apply.”
Apimondia is a biannual event which brings together beekeeping enthusiasts and scientists from all over the world. The 2023 edition of the event, which first took place in Brussels, Belgium, in 1897, was held in the Chilean capital of Santiago.
Annette Seehaus-Arnold, who manages an organic apiary in Burglauer, Bavaria, heads the German Union of Professional Beekeepers. She said topics such as climate change would be on top of the agenda if her organisation’s bid was successful.
Annette argued: “We want our bees to do well in winter. We also want to protect them from collapsing in summer.”
The last time Germany organised the international summit dates back to 1969. Back then, Munich hosted the event. The German committee has not yet decided on a possible location for 2029. Nevertheless, Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir from the Green Party has endorsed the application.
Germany is one of the leading producers of honey in Europe. However, for the vast majority of the country’s beekeepers, apiculture is not the main source of income but a time-consuming hobby.
More than 149,000 of them are members of the Federal Beekeepers Association. The organisation cooperates with the German Union of Professional Beekeepers concerning the 2029 Apimondia application.
