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Beekeeping Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1952, 1953, 1954)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

1952. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures put in place to prevent the importation of the small hive beetle, athena tumida; if a risk assessment for this pest has been carried out; and if not, the reason. [14249/21]

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Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

1953. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are importation bans on honeybees from countries in which athena tumida has been detected; and if not, the reason. [14250/21]

View answer

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

1954. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to protect the native Irish honeybee, apis mellifera mellifera, from being genetically diluted from the importation of non-native honeybees. [14251/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1952 to 1954, inclusive, together.

I fully acknowledge the important contribution bees make to agriculture and biodiversity as both pollinators and honey producers. In this regard, my Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. These supports include funding to carry out applied research through the National Apiculture Programme, grants to national beekeeping associations and grant aid to fund capital investments for beekeepers.

My Department has funded a number of studies under the Genetic Research Grant Aid Scheme looking at various aspects of this honeybee species and specifically apis mellifera mellifera. In 2021, funding has been allocated for an innovative queen rearing project. My Department also supports the work of the Native Irish Honey Bee Society.

In relation to the importation of honeybees into Ireland, this is allowed under regulations governing intra-Community trade with other EU Member States. The specific health requirements for trading in bees are laid out in Council Directive 92/65/EEC. All imports of bees must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the country of export after a physical inspection of the bees and their packaging has taken place. This is to ensure that imported bees are healthy and do not harbour pathogens or parasites that may be harmful to our native bee stocks, including the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida). The health certificate also outlines the import restrictions that apply on areas that have confirmed cases of the small hive beetle.

The European Commission Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed plays a key role in ensuring that Union measures on animal health are effective, including risk assessing and reviewing the measures in place for the small hive beetle. This committee is currently reviewing these measures.

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