Deutscher Imkerbund e.V.
D.I.B.
The German Beekeepers' Association is the umbrella organisation of 19 beekeeping associations in Germany.
ID: 817404452140-33
Lobbying Activity
Meeting with Terry Reintke (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutscher Bauernverband
26 Jan 2026 · EU Agricultural Policies
Meeting with Maria Noichl (Member of the European Parliament)
16 Sept 2025 · Imkerei
Response to Updating the list of invasive species threatening biodiversity and ecosystem services across the EU
19 Mar 2025
The German Beekeepers' Association Deutscher Imkerbund e. V. welcomes the fact that, in addition to Vespa velutina, the northern giant hornet V. mandarinia is now also to be included in the list of invasive species of Union concern. We consider this step to be necessary to prevent damage to biodiversity, economic damage and risks to human health caused by this species, as we are already experiencing with V. velutina in the EU. However, we would like to suggest that the southern giant hornet V. soror (du Buysson 1905) should also be included in the list. This species has a similar biology to V. mandarinia. Among other things, it also attacks bee colonies in groups, penetrates them and destroys them (Matilla et al. 2020). Like its sister species V. mandarinia, V. soror is a top predator. However, V. soror has been much less intensively researched to date, as it occurs in subtropical and tropical regions (Mattila et al. 2023). Its occurrence in warmer regions could mean a limited distribution potential in Europe. However, the species' underground nesting behaviour may help it to spread to less hot regions. Based on the biology of V. soror, Mattila et al. (2023) conclude that this hornet species has a similar invasion potential to other hornet species. Unfortunately, previous modelling of the potential distribution of different hornet species has produced partly contradictory results (Otis et al. 2023). For example, the initial assumptions for the potential spread of V. velutina in Europe have now proven to be incorrect. In the past, single individuals of V. soror have already been dispersed to other areas (Otis et al. 2023). In Europe, V. soror has been sighted in Spain (Asturias). Although it is not clear whether a population still exists there, the observation of workers in 2022 and 2023 suggests that V. soror was able to complete a reproductive cycle in Spain (Sanchez et al. 2024). We would like to suggest that the other Vespa species should also be assessed as possible candidates for the list of invasive species of Union concern. Some species exert enormous predatory pressure on field wasps, for example. In addition to the giant hornets, other species also possess a highly potent venom that can cause serious problems for human health if they sting. Finally, we would like to point out that the actual practical implementation of the legal requirements in the member states should also be monitored by the EU Commission. With regard to Vespa velutina, it has unfortunately become apparent that some authorities have implemented the requirements inadequately or even simply ignored them. References Mattila HR, Otis GW, Nguyen LTP, Pham HD, Knight OM, Phan NT (2020). Honey bees (Apis cerana) use animal feces as a tool to defend colonies against group attack by giant hornets (Vespa soror). PLoS ONE 15, e0242668. (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.024266 Mattila HR, Nguyen LTP, Perrard A, Bain M, Otis GW (2023). Biology of the southern giant hornet, Vespa soror: nest architecture, morphological differences among castes, and the genetic structure of colonies. Front. Insect Sci. 3:1136297. doi: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1136297 Otis GW, Taylor BA, Mattila HR (2023). Invasion potential of hornets (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespa spp.). Front. Insect Sci. 3:1145158. doi: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1145158 Sanchez O, Castro L, Fueyo A, Borrell Y, Arias A (2024). Early Alarm on the First Occur-rence of the Southern Giant Hornet Vespa soror du Buysson, 1905 (Vespidae) in Eu-rope. Ecology and Evolution 14 (11). DOI:10.1002/ece3.70502
Read full responseResponse to Further reciprocal tariff liberalisation under Art. 29 of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
1 Oct 2024
As the German Beekeepers' Association Deutscher Imkerbund, we represent the majority of beekeepers in Germany and hereby submit our position on the EU Commission's initiative. Our position is based on the official EU figures and relates to the honey trade that concerns us. 1. There is an unequal honey trade between the EU and Ukraine. Honey imports from Ukraine to the EU were as follows: 2017: 46,625 tonnes 2018: 40,636 tonnes 2019: 44,523 tonnes 2020: 54,802 tonnes 2021: 53,836 tonnes 2022: 46,094 tonnes 2023: 45,800 tonnes. While Ukraine exports over 40,000 tonnes of honey to the EU every year, it imports virtually no honey according to the FAO. As long as there is such a strong imbalance, further liberalisation of tariffs should be viewed critically. Ukraine would first have to promote the import and sale of honey from the EU in order to provide a sales market for EU beekeepers. In addition, the import volumes show that the tariffs before the war did not represent any obstacle to trade in honey that would need to be dismantled. Despite an alleged lack of demand, honey importers bought large quantities of Ukrainian honey in the first months of 2024 in order to enjoy duty-free treatment. EU honey, on the other hand, was hardly bought by the packers. The duty-free honey is thus leading to major distortions on the honey market. 2. There are unequal prices: Average prices for Ukrainian imported honey were as follows: 2019: 1.68 euros/kg 2020: 1.53 euros/kg 2021: 1.89 euros/kg 2022: 2.63 euros/kg 2023: 2.07 euro/kg. The prices for Ukrainian imported honey are significantly lower than the production costs in the EU. According to the National Action Plans, the average production costs in the EU in 2017 were 3.90/kg, and significantly higher in several Member States, for example in Germany at 6.90/kg. The abolition of customs duties would lead to a disadvantage for EU beekeeping, as Ukrainian honey could be imported even more cheaply. Free trade would necessitate high economic aid for EU beekeeping, which is already necessary due to the large quantities of cheap honey imported. The import prices are also apparently lower than the prices offered in Ukraine. A review of possible anti-dumping prices should therefore be carried out urgently before free trade takes place. 3. Honey fraud: The EU "From the Hives" campaign has shown that honey from Ukraine often does not meet the quality requirements of the EU Honey Directive. In the campaign, 11 out of 27 exporters from Ukraine delivered "suspicious" goods. In view of these results, it is necessary for Ukraine to first carry out better quality controls in the country. This also requires appropriate expertise and the necessary laboratory structure. Traceability back to the apiary must be guaranteed, as there are allegations that cheap honey from other third countries is sometimes exported via Ukraine. 4. Conclusion: At the present time, we consider a reciprocal liberalisation of customs duties to be problematic, as further serious effects on the EU beekeeping sector are to be expected.
Read full responseMeeting with Alexander Bernhuber (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)
19 Jan 2024 · Breakfast directives