Regional Funding Calls For Beekeeping 2019/2020

The Veneto region made available EUR 365,587.82 for the beekeeping year from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2020. Beneficiaries The beneficiaries of this funding are beekeepers in Veneto through their associated forms, legally constituted associated forms, with registered office in Veneto and representing more than 50 members in compliance with the obligations of identification and registration of hives according to the regulations in force. Finally, public and private bodies and research institutes operating in the region with at least one operational office and with proven experience in the sector may also apply. Each measure has specific sub-actions. In action a.6, relating to the purchase of equipment for running the apiary, processing, packaging and conserving beekeeping products, the purchase of scales for checking production and the hives themselves is also eligible.

The funds made available by the Emilia-Romagna region amount to €556,787.89. Beneficiaries Beneficiaries eligible for funding are beekeepers, associated forms and public, private and research organisations. With regard more specifically to beekeepers, they must obviously be in compliance with the rules for the identification and registration of hives, they must have a regular agricultural or combined VAT number and be registered in the Regional Register of Agricultural Holdings, and they must have at least 20 beehives regularly registered. In addition, beekeepers must comply with health and hygiene regulations relating to the premises where beehive products are processed or they must operate, again in compliance with regulations, in third-party premises.

It is recent news that the Umbria region has allocated 180,000€, in addition to 125,000€ of private co-financing, to the beekeeping sector, for a total of over 306,000€. The measures covered by the funding primarily concern technical assistance to beekeepers and beekeeping organisations. Other funds are earmarked for the purchase of equipment for apiary management, processing, packaging and storage of beekeeping products. The fight against hive aggressors and diseases has also been extensively financed. In particular, the purchase of anti-varroa hives and net funds for the modification of hives already in the beekeeper's possession are envisaged. In order to support the repopulation of the community bee population, purchases of swarms, nuclei, bee packs and queen bees are also financed.

The Campania Region has also recently approved the call for funding for the 2019/2020 year. The call is specifically aimed at beekeepers' associations, in particular to support their actions to improve the general conditions of production and marketing of agricultural products. Measures financed The initiatives financed by the call are as follows: Measure A: Technical assistance to beekeepers and beekeepers' organisations Action a.2: Thematic seminars and conferences Action a.4: Technical assistance to companies Measure B: Fight against hive aggressors and diseases, in particular varroasis Action b.1: periodic meetings with beekeepers, practical demonstrations and interventions in apiaries for the application of means of control by beekeeping experts, distribution of appropriate veterinary medicines Action b.4: purchase of appropriate veterinary medicines and sterilisation of beehives and beekeeping equipment

On 11 October, the Campania Region approved a call for funding specifically for beekeepers to purchase beehives for varroasis control and specific equipment and materials for nomadism. Measures financed The specific measures envisaged by the call are as follows: Measure B: Control of beehive aggressors and diseases, in particular varroasis - action b.3: Various equipment Measure C: Rationalisation of transhumance - action c.2: purchase of equipment for nomadic activity - sub-action c.2.2: purchase of machinery, equipment and various materials specific to nomadic activity Eligible expenses The minimum threshold for expenditure is €2,000.00, while it may not exceed €10,000.00. Only expenses incurred after the submission of the application are eligible.

The beekeeping sector call for 2019/2020 was also recently published in Sardinia. Eligible measures Measure B: Fight against hive aggressors and diseases, in particular varroasis Action b3: Various equipment. This section includes the tools used for the administration of sanitary aids (e.g. sublimators), various personal protective equipment and other useful tools for disease control Action b4: Purchase of suitable veterinary medicines and sterilisation of beehives and beekeeping equipment Measure C: Rationalisation of transhumance Sub-action c2.1: purchase of hives Measure D: Support measures for beekeeping product analysis laboratories to help beekeepers market and add value to their products Action d3: Payment of expenses for quality analyses of beekeeping products.

In Piedmont, EUR 250,000.00 has been allocated for the beekeeping sector, in particular for the purchase of equipment and nomadic beekeeping equipment. Funding allows the acquisition of materials for apiary management, processing, packaging and preservation of beekeeping products. Eligible expenses also include those relating to machinery, tools and various materials specifically for conducting nomadism. Eligible expenses The minimum eligible expenditure is EUR 2,400.00 and the maximum eligible expenditure is EUR 10,000.00. Funding covers 50% of the expenses incurred.

In Abruzzo too, it is possible to access funding calls for the beekeeping sector. Financed measures The measures financed are: Measure A: technical assistance to beekeepers and beekeepers' organisations Measure B: Fight against hive aggressors and diseases, in particular varroasis Measure C: Rationalisation of transhumance Measure E: Measures to support the restocking of hives in the Union Rationalisation of transhumance Dealing more specifically with Measure C, it includes the purchase not only of beehives for nomadism, but also specific equipment for monitoring the hives and their telematic management. Our 3Bee systems are also included in this measure.

On 4 November, the Delibera di Giunta Regionale (Regional Council resolution) was published in the BURL, regulating financial aid for the 2019/2020 year for the beekeeping sector in the Lombardy region. The total amount of aid is €740,385.79. The objectives are to support business competitiveness, improve the knowledge and entrepreneurial skills of beekeepers and safeguard the beekeeping heritage and the health of the hives. Measures eligible for funding The measures eligible for funding are: Technical assistance (direct and indirect) to support beekeepers in the protection and enhancement of their beekeeping heritage and in improving the quality of hive production Acquisition of apiary protection equipment Fight against varroasis and hive diseases Modernisation of machines and equipment for nomadic beekeeping

In Valle d'Aosta, beekeepers can also apply for funding for their activities. Beneficiaries The call for applications provides for various measures, each of which is aimed at specific beneficiaries. As a general rule, individual beekeepers or beekeeping undertakings that have registered their hives can apply for aid. They must also have a VAT number and at least 11 hives. In addition, organisations, associations, producer unions, consortia, bodies and research centres may also apply for funding. Finally, they must be regularly registered with the chamber of commerce and have a business file with a CAA.

On 30 October 2019, a call to support the rationalisation of transhumance in favour of Tuscan beekeepers was officially published. The specific objectives are to decrease the costs of this practice and improve the quality of the honey produced. The total amount recognised to support these actions is 214,166.36€. Beneficiaries The beneficiaries of this funding are VAT-registered beekeepers who regularly practice nomadism. Those who have a VAT number but do not yet own hives may also apply. In this case, there is an obligation to carry out beekeeping activities for at least 5 years.