Beekeepers welcome 'transparency' around honey labelling

Irish beekeepers have welcomed new European Union product labelling laws that now require the exact country of origin for honey to be clearly labelled for consumers. The directive, effective from June 14, obliges Irish honey producers to disclose the origins of their honey blends and their respective percentages. Products already in stores following the directive's passage remain unaffected.

Previously, beekeepers could label their products as EU and Non-EU blends. The new labels, as explained by Paul O'Brien, founder of the Irish Bee Foundation, give consumers more choice and bring clarity to their purchasing decisions. O'Brien highlighted that beekeepers across Europe have been fighting against honey fraud for years and have been advocating for improved labelling.

He expressed hope that the law would mark a turning point for the future of beekeeping in Ireland. O'Brien also noted that the current price points for Irish honey are too low for beekeepers struggling to compete with non-Irish products. Andrew Shinnick, CEO of Blackwater Honey in Cork, welcomed the new law, calling it good for transparency and consumers.

Shinnick's company exclusively produces Irish honey, but most honey on the Irish market comes from Asia, South America, and Central America, as Ireland's honey production falls short of local demand. Shinnick emphasized the need for transparency, stating that consumers should be able to clearly see the origin of their honey, whether it is from China, Spain, or Argentina, and decide accordingly.

Darina Allen, chef and founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork, called the labelling change "long overdue," noting that Irish honey is a gourmet product that costs significantly more to produce. Allen suggested that consumers should be paying €7.50-€8.50 or more for honey in the shops, hinting that the current prices of €2-€3 per jar raise questions about the product's origin. She encouraged consumers to find local beekeepers and support their products.