The European Commission said on Monday it will provide €120 million to the EU’s beekeeping sector over the next three years “to support its essential role in agriculture and the environment.”

This represents an increase of €12 million compared to the support provided for the period from 2017 to 2019.

In 2018, the EU had over 17.5 million hives run by 600,000 beekeepers.

Beekeeping is practiced in all EU member states and the European Union is the world’s second largest honey producer.

“Honeybee colonies are essential for agriculture and environment, ensuring plant reproduction by pollination, while beekeeping participates to the development of rural areas,” said the European Commission in a statement.

EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan said: “Beekeeping is an important part of the EU agri-food sector, helping to keep jobs in our rural areas.

“Bees are also vitally important for the sustainability of our agriculture and for healthy ecosystems.

“Therefore it is to be welcomed that the Common Agricultural Policy, working in synergy with other key European and national funds, is now providing stronger tools to support the sector.”