Connecting Beekeepers and Researchers: EAAP’s Role in Addressing Modern Beekeeping Challenges

On 18-19 October 2024 EAAP was invited to participate to two special events dedicated to Beekeeping. Thanks to the cooperation with “Università degli Studi di Milano”, on 18th October EAAP had the opportunity to visit Melyos Farm owned by Elio Bonfanti, a Beekeeper based in Barzanò (a town in the North of Italy) to learn the secrets behind the rearing of Honeybees queens and Honey production. Giulietta Minozzi, Vice-President of EAAP Animal Health and Welfare Study Commission, Professor of Animal Genetics and great passionate of Beekeeping at the Milano University, led us to this wonderful journey. Federica Motterle, from EAAP Secretariat, participated to these meetings. On 19th October EAAP activities were presented to the ApiLombardia IV Round table, a meeting in which beekeepers had the chance to discuss with the regional association about the hardest challenges of modern beekeeping, such as Varroa parasite, chalk brood, Velutina wasp, climate change impact, nutrition and genetics. Among international participants, Professors Per Kryger (Aarhus University) and Annette Bruun Jensen (University of Copenhagen) gave their speech about the researches they are conducting in Denmark, in particular about chalk brood. EAAP participation represents a great opportunity to connect beekeepers and researchers for International cooperation. We wish to thank Giulietta Minozzi, Elio Bonfanti, and all ApiLombardia staff for the hospitality and for these fruitful days!