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Beekeeping Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2013

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Questions (824)

John Lyons

Question:

824. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the importance of bees for pollination and food production, his views on the effect of pesticides on the bee population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27697/13]

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Written answers

Bees play an essential role worldwide by pollinating many of our commercial food crops. They also maintain biodiversity in the wild by pollinating wild plants which then provide shelter and food for a wide range of insects and animals. There are over 100 native species of bees in Ireland and the Department of the Environment has valued their pollination services as being worth an estimated €85m per annum to the Irish economy.

Bee health is an exceedingly complicated issue affected by many factors. Such factors include climate, hive management, disease, bee pests, environment (biodiversity, CO2 , pollution etc.), weather events, genetics and pesticides. Regarding the importance, or not, of pesticides in relation to bee health, it is important to note that significant bee health issues are also being experienced in areas where there is little or no pesticide use. There are also instances where well managed apiaries, in areas of intensive agricultural production, experience little change in the general health of their hives.

The widespread presence of the Varroa mite, together with the associated viruses it spreads, and difficult weather conditions for beekeeping over recent summers are seen by many as the main causes of colony mortality among Irish bees in recent years.

Notwithstanding this, my Department is very aware of the potential risks which can result from the use of pesticides and so risk mitigation measures are often introduced when approving pesticides for use under Irish conditions. To that end, part of the farm inspection programme is devoted to checking proper pesticide use. Furthermore, my Department is currently introducing registration and training requirements for sprayer operators and a programme of testing of all pesticide application equipment. Additionally, it will be a legal requirement from 1st January 2014 for farmers in Ireland to apply the principles of Integrated Pest Management.

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