The Internet portal of food safety – Střešní med SVS from the center of Prague passed in all investigated parameters
The State Veterinary Administration (SVS) together with the State Veterinary Institute Prague (SVÚ) have been keeping bees on the roof of the SVS headquarters building in Prague’s Vinohrady for the fifth year. The SVÚ was currently investigating honey from this year’s clutch of “veterinary bees” as part of the project. The honey met all the indicators given by the decree establishing requirements for the quality of honey.
“The positive news is that no heavy metals or pesticide residues were detected in the honey,” stated Jan Rosmus from the chemistry department of SVÚ Prague and added: “Another one too the parameters for honey set by the decree of the Ministry of Agriculture are at an above-standard level.” A similar examination of honey from the same location was already carried out by the SVÚ in 2019. Even then, the laboratory results were good, the honey did not contain any heavy metals or pesticides. Joint project of the so-called “veterinary bees” also in future numbers with the Regular honey investigation.
“We are very happy that the quality of the honey coming from the terrace of our building in the center of Prague met all the required requirements. Similar projects like ours are proof that bees have a justified role even in larger cities like Prague,” he communicated director of the veterinary section Petr Šatrán.
Rooftop beekeeping is gaining popularity, and many companies and public institutions are placing bee colonies on the roofs of their residences. According to rooftop beekeepers, the estimated number of bee habitats in the Czech Republic is approximately 50, with 16 in Prague. Interest in beekeeping in the capital has been increasing in recent years. SVS currently registers over 800 beekeepers in the capital, who keep almost 6,500 bee colonies, which is almost 1,000 more than three years ago. In Prague, bees are traditionally kept mainly in older housing developments in neighborhoods such as Troja, Libeň or Dejvice. On the contrary, there are not so many beekeepers in peripheral districts with new developments.
The project will continue to serve research and educational purposes. In addition, rolled honey from five hives of roof bees will be used to promote both institutions. This year, approximately 70 kilos of honey were produced.
Petr Vorlíček
press spokesman SVS
Source: SVS