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Moldova Saves Bees: App Fights Pesticide Harm

Beekeepers across Moldova grapple with numerous challenges each spring, but none are more pressing than the indiscriminate spraying of agricultural crops with insecticides and pesticides, which proves lethal to bee populations.

According to beekeeper associations, negligence on the part of farmers threatens the very existence of their businesses.

To mitigate this critical issue, authorities in the Republic of Moldova have mandated the registration of both beekeepers and farmers within a designated application known as "BeeProtect." This platform fosters communication between the two parties. Farmers are required to announce their intention to utilise pesticides on their landholdings at least 48 hours in advance. Beehive owners are then notified electronically through their mobile devices, allowing them to take necessary precautions to safeguard their bee colonies.

"Through a collaborative effort between the National Association of Beekeepers, the Ministry of Agriculture, and ANSA [National Food Safety Agency], we are actively engaged in raising awareness among both farmers and beekeepers," explained Ion Maxim, Executive Director of the National Association of Beekeepers of the Republic of Moldova. "Our primary focus is to highlight the critical role that bees play in pollination, while also advocating for the adoption of less harmful plant protection products by farmers. Ideally, we encourage the use of products categorised within the 3rd and 4th hazard groups, which pose a reduced threat to bee health. We believe that the implementation of this information system will prove advantageous for both agricultural producers and beekeepers, ultimately resulting in a significant decrease in bee colony poisoning incidents."

The implementation of the "Bee Protect" concept, approved by the Moldovan government in 2022, aims to demonstrably reduce bee poisoning occurrences. This application serves as a communication bridge between agricultural producers and beekeepers, ensuring that each party is informed about upcoming land treatment activities and beehive locations.

The mandatory registration and data provision within the "Bee Protect" application commenced on January 1, 2023. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry reports that over 60% of bee colonies, and in some instances entire apiaries, have succumbed to poisoning in recent years due to inadequate communication between agricultural producers and beekeepers.

Official data reveals that approximately 7,800 beehives are registered within the Republic of Moldova, housing a total population exceeding 260,000 bee colonies.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Olga Mînzat

Olga Mînzat

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