FAQ

Where do bees harvest nectar in the city?

Bees find plenty of nectar and pollen in city parks and gardens and even on balconies. There are plants flowering in the city from early spring until late autumn.

 

Why bees produce more honey in the city than in the countryside?

This probably has to do with the higher diversity of flowering plants in the city, which provide nourishment throughout the season. Large monocultures in the countryside are deserts for bees – they only flower for a few weeks, and sometimes only for one; some crops (cereals, maize) provide no food for bees at all. Bees are also generally healthier in cities.

Experts link this to better nourishment, lower population density (which also reduces the risk of disease) and less use of pesticides.

 

How could I keep bees myself and where could I find more info?

Keeping bees can not only be a source of fun and honey but can also bring more biodiversity to your area.

Keeping bees does, however, require expertise on apicultural techniques, local regulations and - first and foremost - safety measures; otherwise you may expose yourself and other people to danger. For example, we at the EESC have qualified beekeepers to manage our beehives, and a set of safety rules to prevent accidents.

So, if you want to keep bees on your own, we would suggest you contact a beekeepers' organisation for more concrete information and ideas. Many such organisations provide training and educational activities.

 

Which plants should I put in my garden in order to help bees?

Many flowers are good for bees, such as honey clover, borage and lavender. You can simply google "plants for bees" and a lot of information will come up.

One warning - the complex double blossoms of some decorative flowers are not good for bees, because it is difficult for them to get through all the curly petals to reach the nectar. Even some common weeds are excellent sources of nectar and pollen at times when there is little food; these include dandelions in early spring and ivy blossom in late autumn.

You can help with small gestures, like not mowing your lawn until later in the spring, or by cutting your hedge only after it has flowered.

 

Isn't it dangerous to keep bees on an office building?

The project has been based on a careful assessment of all the potential risks and a comprehensive safety plan: it therefore complies with all relevant laws and safety regulations.

The EESC works only with certified beekeepers, in accordance with Belgian regulations.

The Committee has sent information to its entire staff, describing the project and explaining the potential risks. They have also been invited to participate in awareness-raising activities.

 

Is the honey for sale?

No. The project has no commercial objectives. We keep beehives in order to raise awareness about the importance of bees. Most of the honey is used as special promotional gifts; our staff can also taste it at some events organised in cooperation with the EESC canteen.

 

Why is an EU institution spending time and money on bee-keeping: a task that does not seem related to its mission and purpose?

It is true that the beehives provide some excellent urban honey, but this is not the main reason we decided to start keeping bees.

By setting up these two beehives, and by being one of the first EU institutions to do so, the EESC is showing its commitment to supporting biodiversity and raising awareness among its staff and visitors about the global importance of protecting bees.

As with other environmental commitments (EMAS, sustainable canteen) the Committee has made, keeping bees is a concrete, simple way to put into practice the principles and ideas for boosting biodiversity that the EESC is advocating in its policy recommandations.

 

Is the EESC the only EU institutions in keeping beehives?

The EESC is the first EU institution in Brussels to initiate an urban bee-keeping project (we installed our beehives in 2012).

However, the European Environment Agency in Copenhagen installed three beehives in 2011, making it the first EU body to launch a bee-keeping initiative.