Animal nutrition: EU approves first feed additive for honeybees

The European Union has today approved the first feed additive for insects, intended for honeybees. The approval, obtained through a scientific analysis conducted by EFSA and a proposal from the Commission, will allow the use of the additive to improve the winter survival of bee colonies. The additive, composed of molybdenum, will be administered to the insects between two seasons of honey production. Beekeepers can mix it with sugar syrup or caramel cake to ensure that colonies have sufficient resources during the winter. The authorization, if adopted by the Commission, could allow the product to be marketed on the European market by the end of the year. This step will contribute positively to the European biodiversity strategy for 2030 and the European initiative on pollinators, which aim to reverse the decline of pollinating insects by 2030.