A prefect listening to problems, during the general assembly of the Lozère beekeeping union.

Philippe Castanet, préfet de Lozère, au chevet des apiculteurs. MIDI LIBRE – M. P

Philippe Castanet, prefect of Lozère, attended the general assembly of the Lozère beekeeping union, Saturday March 23, 2024. A sector in pain and requiring support.

After having plowed the land with the farmers, organize the arrival of Marc Fesnau, Minister of Agriculture, on the Causse Méjean on Friday March 22, 2024, place for the beekeepers. During the general assembly organized on Saturday March 23, 2024 by the Lozerian beekeeping union in Mende, David Blanc, president, outlined the points of concern for the sector. Under the attentive ear of the senior official.

Various and varied ills for the sector

"The honey harvest last year was correct, even though there was some damage among beekeepers with 15 to 20% loss, underlined David Blanc, in the preamble. Climate change, varroa, the parasite of domestic bees, insecticides to prevent the spread of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EMD) on farms, invasion of the Asian hornet were discussed. Added to this, the lack of national recognition, competition "unfair"honey from abroad, insurance problems for beekeeping activities, the processing of wood logs in the forest, fueled the discussions at the meeting. "French honey can no longer be bought", said an angry producer.

GDSA 48 also concerned about health risks

The Lozère Beekeeping Health Group (GDSA 48) also held its general meeting on Saturday in Mende, chaired by Philippe Clément. Around fifty beekeepers were present out of 251 members. Apiary schools, anti-varroa medications, training of agricultural health technicians, reporting of mortality in hives, contamination of waxes by fungicides, charter of good conduct were on the agenda. And, like every start of the season, the main concern is the Asian hornet, with the first invaders reported near Collet-de-Dèze and Pied-de-Borne: " Spring trapping is a priority, we must attack now, insisted the president. We have five poles available and soon another in Villefort. Vialas trained two people to destroy the nests." With a trick to lure the hornets into the traps, apple juice.

Two or three priorities to manage

Philippe Castanet wanted to be reassuring: "I came to hear you, a – he declared. I prefer to see the glass half full." The prefect assured to find out "on the spot"of the abandonment by insurance companies of a collective civil liability guarantee covering the activities of beekeepers: "I will help you find a solution.&quot ; Other chapters, MHE, "you have to be reasonable with insecticide products", competition "I'm going to ask how honeys are controlled […] people need to know what ;they buy." Philippe Castanet also returned on the 5 M€ released by the government to support the sector: &amp ;quot;This is the first time that a plan has been put in place. We will have to imagine how to distribute precisely." Faced with the numerous questions, the prefect tempered: "We must prioritize , give me the two or three priority subjects." Sixteen medals in the last French honey competition, the department remains a beautiful showcase of beekeeping in the French.

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