4. Given the lack of representative and comparable data at European level on honeybee colony losses, stresses the need to quantify these losses and to establish an appropriate counting system common to all Member States;

7. Welcomes the Commission’s communication on Honeybee Health (COM(2010)0714) and recalls Parliament’s resolution of 25 November 2010 on the situation of the beekeeping sector; confirms the need for sustainable agricultural practices to protect natural resources and biodiversity and agricultural ecosystems and to promote training and skills;

The main demands to the Commission contained in the motion for a resolution include the following: a specific undertaking after the expiry of national programmes, also in view of new challenges and problems in the sector, namely bee mortality, price volatility etc.; a commitment to the necessary improvement in statistical measurements, for more effective control of non-EU honey imports and research development; a strengthening of the role of European veterinary policy; an action plan to tackle the phenomenon of widespread bee mortality, partly through specific undertakings in the field of research; greater financial support in the field of operator training and education and, lastly, a revitalised role as a leading player for the beekeeping sector w ...[+++]ithin the common agricultural policy after 2013.

If imported however they could have a devastating effect on the health status of honey bees and on the apiary industry, which is why these diseases were added to the list of Community notifiable diseases.

(6) Tropilaelaps (Tropilaelaps spp.) is an exotic parasitic mite affecting honey bees that is mainly found in south-east Asia but which if imported into the Community could have devastating consequences on the health status of honey bees, on the apiculture industry and on the production of honey.

(2) The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is an exotic pest affecting honey bees and bumble bees that has spread from Africa to a number of other third countries, creating serious problems to the apiculture industry.