European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen has outlined a series of measures to tackle honey adulteration and low-cost imports, while defending the EU-Mercosur trade deal's impact on beekeepers. In a written answer to a parliamentary question from left-wing MEP Konstantinos Arvanitis, Hansen emphasised that the Commission is advancing harmonised authentication methods, strengthening border checks, and that the Mercosur agreement includes a calibrated tariff-rate quota and a safeguard mechanism for honey.
The answer, published on 30 April 2026, responds to Arvanitis's concerns that European beekeepers face an acute crisis due to cheap imports, widespread adulteration, and insufficient authenticity checks. The MEP had asked whether the Commission would set up an EU reference laboratory for honey, strengthen border and intra-EU checks, and carry out a specific impact assessment for the apiculture sector under the Mercosur deal.
Concrete proposals and vague commitments
On the reference laboratory, Hansen said the Honey Platform is tasked with gathering data and providing recommendations, but noted that first discussions highlighted the need to avoid overlaps with existing labs and ensure financial viability. No decision has been taken, and the topic will be further discussed — a cautious stance that offers no immediate commitment.
On import controls, Hansen pointed to measures announced on 9 December 2025, including increased audits, closer monitoring of non-compliant commodities, support to member states, and a new Task Force on Import Controls. These are concrete steps, though their effectiveness will depend on implementation.
On the Mercosur impact, Hansen stated that the Commission evaluates trade effects through cumulative economic impact studies and that honey was given a calibrated tariff-rate quota with a legally binding safeguard mechanism, rather than unlimited access. This suggests the Commission believes it has addressed sector vulnerabilities, but no specific apiculture impact assessment was mentioned.
Policy orientation and institutional follow-up
The answer signals a moderate, incremental approach: strengthening existing controls rather than creating new institutions or imposing radical changes. The Commission is balancing consumer protection and beekeeper competitiveness against trade liberalisation and diplomatic commitments. The reference to a safeguard mechanism indicates a willingness to protect EU producers if imports surge, but the lack of a dedicated reference laboratory or sector-specific impact assessment may disappoint beekeepers.
Expected follow-up includes further discussions on the honey reference laboratory within the Honey Platform, and monitoring of the new import control measures. The Mercosur deal's honey provisions will be tested once the agreement enters into force, with the safeguard mechanism as a potential safety valve.