Baku: Azerbaijan is preparing to export honey to EU countries, implementing rigorous measures to ensure the health and safety of bee colonies. 'To protect bee health, regular preventive measures are being implemented. When moving bee colonies during flowering, quarantine rules must be strictly followed, apiaries should be about 5 km apart, and new colonies should be temporarily isolated. Queen bee breeding should take place in completely isolated locations, with no other queen bee farms within a 3-kilometer radius,' Galib Abdulaliyev, Head of Department at the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency and the country's Chief State Veterinary Inspector, told AZERTAC.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, beekeeping in Azerbaijan is highly specialized, requiring careful management due to bees' sensitivity to climate change and rapid population recovery. Historically, Azerbaijan was home to Gray and Yellow Caucasian bees; however, today, six breeds, including newly introduced ones, are used nationwide.

Galib Abdulaliyev highlighted the need for bee care, feeding, and treatment to align with climate conditions, ensuring strict compliance with food safety standards. The safety of bee products, especially honey, necessitates adherence to limits on antibiotics, pesticides, and veterinary drugs.

Efforts are ongoing to facilitate the export of honey and other bee products to EU countries. Monitoring programs aligned with international requirements are being implemented, with apiaries across the country undergoing inspections and samples being collected for laboratory testing.