Slovenian Beekeepers´ Association (Sba)

Slovenia, a great place for bees

• 11.000 beekeepers, 12.000 apiaries, 205.000 honey bee colonies. • Average beekeepers has 15 honey bee colonies • Average honey production is 15 kg honey/colony. • Total production 1.700 t honey • Beekeepers sell 80% honey directly. • Apis mellifera carnica is autochthonous in Slovenia. • Rich beekeeping history. Slovenia and beekeeping tourism

The programs combine: The beauties of Slovenia, beekeeping tradition, unspoiled nature, authentic cuisine. Slovenia and beekeeping tourism

Tanja Arih Korošec embodies the driving force of Apiturism both locally and globally http://www.apiturizem.si/ SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPERS´ ASSOCIATION (SBA)

• Established in 1873. • Bring together 212 local beekeepers associations • The main purpose is to help and educate the beekeepers. • It publishes a beekeeping magazine named Slovene Beekeeper, which boasts a tradition going back more than 130 years! • SBA has concession for public advisory service on Beekeeping • SBA is also Approved breeders' organizations SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPERS´ ASSOCIATION

The Centre hosts the headquarters of the • Slovenian Beekeepers' Association, • the beekeepers' advisory service • Editorial of the „Slovenski Čebelar“ magazine; • there is also a laboratory, library and a shop selling beekeeping equipment and products.

6 SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPERS´ ASSOCIATION Slovene Beekeeper

It is published each month • cover beekeeping topics: – Preservation of Apis mellifera carnica in our country, – Honeybee diseases, – Bekeeping tehnology, – Beekeeping economics – Marketing – ... SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPERS´ ASSOCIATION Beekeeping extension in Slovenia

• Established in 2004 • 8 specialist • 20 field consultant • Service operates on the basis of the 5 year approved program by Ministry. SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPERS´ ASSOCIATION Beekeeping extension in Slovenia

Some tasks of SBA: • Advising, education and extension training of Beekeepers • Education and extension training of children • Educational and Promotional Campaigns/Projects

9 SLOVENIAN BEEKEEPERS´ ASSOCIATION Promotional and educational projects

• Beekeepers days, Days of Apitherapy, Beekeepers open days, Day of honey quality schemes, Api-tourism, … • Fairs participation. • Organization of Conferences and Symposiums • Publishing of educational and promotional materials, movies, … • Websites for beekeepers, Bee breeders, Api-tourism, general public, … Open door day at Slovenian beekeepers Honey assessments Honey Breakfast Every 3rd Friday in November (since 2008)

Traditional Slovenian Breakfast Day of Slovenian food (since 2012) → European Honey Breakfast SLOVENIAN PROJECT

Book: No Bees, No Life World Bee Day - Timeline

• 14.9.2014: The »Date of Birth« of the World Bee Day idea • 2.4.2015: The World Bee Day initiative supported by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia • 20.9.2015: The World Bee Day initiative supported by APIMONDIA at its 44th International Congress, Daejeon, South Korea. • 9.12.2016: The World Bee Day initiative presented at 155th session of the FAO Council, Rome, Italy (Step 2 within FAO). • 20.12.2017: UNITED NATIONS DECLARES 20 MAY WORLD BEE DAY!

Apimondia, Deajon, S. Korea FAO, Rome, Italy UN, New York World Bee Day - Objectives

1. To raise public awareness of the importance of bees (bee products, pollination, environment...) 2. Informing people, policy makers… that bees faces many threats. 3. Suggest solutions to improve the environment for bee survival. 4. Improving the environment

To contribute to global food security and the hunger. Eradication and to prevent further biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystem services. How to celebrate? Celebration must be adapted to cultural and local characteristics of each countries or region.

• Publishing contributions about bees in daily newspapers. • Playing information broadcasts on bees on TV. • Informing children about bees bee products. • Organizing special events in museums, schools, public organization … • Sharing promotional material. • Informing people on the public places about the importance of bees . • Informing visitors at beekeepers… What people can do for bees?

• Reduced use of pesticides. • Planting of honey plants, trees … • Sowing meadows with many flowers. • Consumption of local honey. • Moral support of beekeepers. • …

18 Results

A comparison of data: 2005 Today Number of beekeepers 7.500 11.000 Age structure of beekeepers (years) 65 59 Children involved in beekeeping clubs 500 1.750 Beekeeping clubs 70 163 Price of honey (€) 4.0 12 Apitourism (certified) 0 35 Consumption of honey (kg/per person) 1.47 2.12 Number of queens 13.000 42.000 Reasons for successful beekeeping

Good Good knowledge Good support to Organization of transfer. beekeepers. beekeepers.

Good integration Good ideas for Good tradition into international improving the organizations situation.

Publishing Strong Good visibility in Beekeeping connection with the world magazine. Ministry. APIMONDIA International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations Since 1895 118 members

Apimondia exists to promote scientific, technical, ecological, social and economic apicultural development in all countries. Apimondia Executive Council

Bee Technology Flora & Health & Quality Pollination

Rural Biology Apitherapy Economy Develop.

The Africa Asia Europe Oceania Americas

We organize congresses, symposia, competitions, beekeeping exhibitions, workshops, collaborating in the projects, publishing Apimondia Newsletter … Thank you for attention!

dr. Peter KOZMUS Professional leader of Breeding program for Carniolan honeybee Apimondia Vice President

Slovenian Beekeeping Association Brdo 8, Lukovica tel: 00 386 1 72 96 116 e-mail: [email protected]