Dr. Wolfgang Ritter is specialized in ecological beekeeping and bee health. He gave lectures for 11 years on ecological agricultural economics at the University of Kassel. Several decades he has been expert and head of the Reference Lab of World Organisation for animal health (OIE/Paris) at the Institute of Animal Health and Food Control in Freiburg/ Germany. As an expert and chairman of the scientific commission of bee health of the world beekeeping association (Apimondia/Rome), he advised several governments, organisations and apiaries worldwide in the topics of bee health and sustainable modes of operation for several decades. Additionally he is author of several books about the topic of ecological beekeeping and bee health. He is also beekeeper himself, with over 40 years of experience.

Ute Schneider Ritter is environmental engineer, specialized on topic water risk management and corresponding legislations. She works for the regional council Freiburg. She is well trained and experienced in biodiversity and ecosystem topics. She wrote her thesis about residues analysis in bee products and has an additional education as a biological technical assistant with the speciality of bee diseases. She has plenty of experiences in beekeeping with different races in Asia and Africa and is working since 40 years with bees.