Vol. 415 No. 7
210 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether new EC Directives in respect of bee-keeping and honey production are soon to be applied in this country; if he will outline the likely effect of any of such Directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the proposed Directive laying down animal health requirements for the placing on the market, within the Community, of animals and animal products not covered in this respect by specific Community rules. It is not known at this stage what the final form of the Directive will be or when it will be adopted.
The draft text of the proposal requires that bees and possibly bee-keeping equipment and products moving in trade between member states show no clinical signs of disease. Member states which are shown to be free of varroasis may require additional guarantees in trade in order to maintain this status.
