Inquiry Regarding Changes to 2025 Beekeeping Support for Small Beekeepers (no. 761)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-08 19:41
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 32
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 38m
AI Summaries: 32/32 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The inquiry concerns changes to the 2025 beekeeping subsidy and their impact on small-scale beekeepers. Involved were Evelin Poolamets, Rene Koka, Siim Pohlak, Martin Helme, Mart Helme, Anti Poolametsa, and Arvo Aller; the inquiry was submitted on April 23, 2025, and the discussion was directed to regional and agricultural minister Hendrik Terras. The purpose was to highlight bottlenecks associated with the changes to the measures and to explain why an enterprise exceeding 16 bee colonies will likely face reduced support in the future, and what will happen to the continuity and background of small-scale beekeeping in connection with the reduction in applications. For the commission, it was important to understand how the changes affect beekeepers operating in small areas and what possible alternatives and cooperation opportunities exist for the next steps.
Decisions Made 1
No legal decisions were made within the framework of this agenda; it proved to be a collective discussion and no specific administrative decisions were taken. Further steps and considerations were described in the minister’s response and the intersectoral cooperation plan: submit proposals to the sector by October 1st regarding possible alternatives for beekeeping support and the necessary research, and discuss possibilities for renewal or supplementation starting in 2026.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Member of the Riigikogu Arvo Aller (pid=UgFd274QJi4). He represents a right-wing viewpoint and is one of the key participants among the questioners, having guided the flow of questions and answers from the beginning, emphasizing what is happening in the sector and the need for dialogue and sustainable solutions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that the second item on today's agenda concerns the interpellation submitted on April 23 regarding the changes to the 2025 apiculture support for small beekeepers, and Riigikogu member Arvo Aller was invited to present the interpellation.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller pointed out that they had submitted an inquiry regarding the shortcomings of beekeeping subsidies, noting that the requirements established this year now mandate 16 bee colonies and only legal entities. This change reduced the number of applications and complicated plant protection planning, and consequently, he has prepared six questions for the minister to get answers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the assembly and invited the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Hendrik Johannes Terras, to the Riigikogu rostrum to answer the interpellation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Regional and Agriculture Minister Hendrik Terras explains that the amendments to the 2025 beekeeping subsidy are targeted at entrepreneurs and sole proprietors who manage 16 bee colonies, in order to achieve budget savings. He simultaneously stressed that hobby beekeepers will still have access to other support opportunities and activities, adding that dialogue with the sector is continuous and that updates for 2026 are already being planned.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the Minister, confirms that there are questions, and asks Lauri Laats to present them.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats emphasized that decisions are being made before any analysis, and asked how much honey Estonian beekeepers produce annually compared to Latvia and Lithuania, both in total volume and per capita, in order to clarify whether cuts need to be implemented or if the neighboring countries simply have a better situation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Regional and Agriculture Minister Hendrik Terras emphasized the significant interest in the beekeeping sector, promised to send comparison tables, and noted that while they primarily possess production data intended for commercial business activities, information regarding the yield of hobby beekeepers is more difficult to obtain. However, those interested are welcome to request the relevant information and study materials.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar asks Mart Helme to come.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme said that beekeepers are not expecting an increase in subsidies, but he asked how high the international competition is in honey production and how great a threat the importation of adulterated or counterfeit honey poses to our beekeepers.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras stated that there have been instances where honey is presented as an animal product—such as honey mixed with horse fat—which does not meet the quality requirements for honey. The Agriculture and Food Board, together with LABRIS, is carrying out supervision and implementing measures, although such cases do occur and their spread has not yet reached a level where the situation is out of control.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls upon Evelin Poolamets.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Speaker Evelin Poolamets asks the minister why the subsidy was withdrawn from small beekeepers, stating that the reason was a €240,000 cut presented as a compromise proposal. She also asks what the other proposals were and why exactly this choice was made.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras stated that in the budget cuts, they sought a balance to ensure that the support for bee colonies did not become an excessive burden on PRIA. The funding was redirected towards agricultural production through a compromise covering 16 colonies. Furthermore, additional proposals are expected by October 1st, and they are prepared to discuss solutions with the beekeeping sector.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi announces that it is now the turn of his colleague, Arvo Aller, to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller expresses concern regarding the cooperation between beekeepers and farmers and asks whether there are currently any known cases of bee deaths caused by plant protection products, and whether the requirements for registering and marking beehives remain a problem or not.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
The death of bee colonies due to pesticides is regrettable and a cause for concern. To prevent this, it is the responsibility of the beekeepers themselves, and our recommendation is to register the hives and their locations. However, no widespread incidents of this nature have been observed.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Peeter Ernits.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asks the manager what the minimum reasonable subsidy is that the ministry or PRIA could offer, and whether there are calculations and a specific figure below which it is not worthwhile.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Terras stated that the administrative cost for distributing beekeeping subsidies should be around 80 euros, because anything less results in too much waste and a drop in efficiency. He added that he would specify the exact figure later, noting that the current magnitude is roughly in that range.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi noted that Helle-Moonika Helm has an interest in beekeeping, and asked a question in connection with this.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme emphasized the critical role of apiculture in food security. However, she also brought up the hardships faced by beekeepers and sheep farmers resulting from attacks by large predators—specifically bears and wolves—and questioned whether the state plans to reduce the bear population or provide assistance to those affected to manage the situation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras stated that the population levels of bears and wolves, along with the issue of wild boars, are impacting agriculture. They are preparing a comprehensive proposal which will be submitted to the Ministry of Climate, but the final decision will be made by a different ministry.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech contains a short greeting and a request to Anti Allas.
Anti Allas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Allas asked the minister what the consequences of withdrawing the support are and whether consideration was given to exempting small beekeepers for the purpose of food security and national defense.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
We are monitoring the situation and expect feedback from the beekeeping sector by October 1st in order to decide on the next steps, support productive beekeeping operations, and ensure the availability of honey for the entire Estonian population in the interest of food security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the Minister, states that there are no further questions, opens the debate, and invites Helle-Moonika Helme and Arvo Aller, on behalf of the interpellators, to speak next.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In his presentation, Arvo Aller addresses the cuts and taxation affecting beekeeping subsidies. He introduces the €16 per-hive threshold and the requirements for receiving support, while also stressing the necessity of inspections and ensuring a fair market. He encourages small beekeepers to hold firm and requests that, in the future, support be made available to everyone, irrespective of the number of hives they own.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address expresses profound gratitude, and Peeter Ernits is invited to speak.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits stresses that pollination support is crucial for securing our food supply. He criticizes the government's cuts and the disregard shown toward small beekeepers, warning that this could damage pollination efforts and reduce the available harvest.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Vice-Chair thanks the audience and invites Evelin Poolamets to speak.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The report emphasizes that small Estonian beekeepers are vital for pollination, disease control, and preserving rural life. Yet, the new 2025 regulation means a large number of them will be left without support, threatening the availability of clean food, ecosystems, and regional development.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience and announced that the negotiations had concluded and the processing of the second agenda item was complete.