President Milanović Meets with Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Beekeepers whose “Goranski medun“ Receives European Protected Label of Authenticity

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović met today with representatives of the Beekeepers Association of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County on the occasion of receiving the European protected label of authenticity for the “Gorski medun” honey. By decision of the European Commission, the “Gorski medun”, a special kind of honey produced exclusively in the Gorski Kotar region, this product name was entered in the register of protected marks of origin and protected marks of geographical origin and protected throughout the European Union.

At the meeting the importance of the Croatian littoral and Gorski Kotar region for Croatia’s beekeeping history was highlighted. The beekeepers of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County reminded that as early as 1288 the Vinodol Statute gave special significance to beekeeping that already at the time had major economic importance. The beekeeping history of Croatia began to be written there noted the representatives of the Beekeepers Association of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, which was founded with the purpose of promoting, developing and advancing beekeeping as an important economic branch even today.

They further informed President Milanović of the state of affairs in Croatian beekeeping and the problems faced by the beekeepers all over Croatia. As one of the major problems they indicated the threat to bees due to climate change as well as widespread sales of adulterated honey, i.e. fake honey. Croatian beekeepers are not adequately protected from imports and the sales of adulterated honey, even though they constantly warn relevant institutions of the problem.

Attending the meeting were the president of the Beekeepers Association of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Nedjeljko Mrakovčić, Association secretary Mirko Almaši, member of Biopčela Association Branko Vidmar, member of the Croatian Association of Honey Sensory Analysts Dražen Lušić, member of the MEDUNA Producers’ Association Alen Maras, member of the Beekeeping Society of the Town of Čabar Alain Stojan Leskovar, president of the Beekeepers Association of the Town of Novi Vinodolski Zvonko Miličević, and member of the Beekeepers Association of the Town of Kastav Dalibor Reš.

Alongside President Milanović were the Special Adviser to the President for the Economy Velibor Mačkić, the Assistant Adviser to the President for the Economy Martina Ciglević, and the Secretary of the Cabinet for the Economy, Energy and Climate Helena Kasanić.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas