Algarve beekeepers can apply for biodiversity support

The deadline for submitting applications for intervention C.1.1.6 “Support for beekeeping for biodiversity” is until 18pm on August 00th, informed the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR).

This support for beekeepers is part of the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (PEPAC), which aims to contribute to the natural pollination of plants, promoting the conservation and recovery of the biodiversity of native flora, supporting the maintenance of the bee population.

In the Algarve region, «beekeeping has significant relevance, resulting in a production of more than 1.500 tons of honey per year, carried out by more than 1.200 registered beekeepers, the vast majority of whom are professionals, that is, with more than 150 hives, being the region of the country with the highest proportion of professional beekeepers», explains the CCDR.

«Throughout the region, with the support of decentralized agriculture and fisheries services, Municipalities and local development associations, featuring a vast set of local and thematic exhibitions and fairs (Feira da Serra, Feira da Dieta Mediterrânica or FATACIL, just to highlight a few), beekeeping is part of the various initiatives to promote endogenous products», adds the CCDR.

To date, according to information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, more than 300 applications for this support have been submitted nationally.

The total amount available for natural or legal persons, public or private, who carry out beekeeping activities, is 20 million euros, with only one application per beneficiary being admitted during the three-year commitment period.

It is essential conditions for the submission of applications that beneficiaries register as IFAP beneficiaries, to obtain NIFAP, or promote the updating of data, namely the NIB and/or email address, and provide, in time, the updating of information relating to the Beekeeping Activity (Registration of Beekeeping Activity; Declaration of Stocks).

Support is granted in the form of a non-refundable grant, in the form of a fixed amount, depending on the level in which the beneficiary is: with between 10 and less than 25 hives, the support is 125 euros and for those who have between 50 and less than 150 hives the aid is 250 euros.

In turn, for those who have between 50 and less than 150 hives the support is 625 euros and beneficiaries who have between 150 and less than 250 hives receive 1.324 euros.

Beneficiaries with 250 and less than 500 hives will receive aid of 2.060 euros. Anyone who has more than 500 hives can receive support of 3.000 euros.

Applications are submitted using an electronic form, available on the Agriculture portal and on the PEPAC portal (www.pepacc.pt).

The notice and other relevant information, namely legislation, form, OTE are available on the Agriculture portal, clicking here, and the PEPAC portal on the mainland, and clarifications can also be obtained from the PEPAC Hotline on the mainland (by telephone, 213 819 300, on weekdays, from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00; in writing, Contact Form PEPAC, available through the Agricultural Funds Desk).