Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2021
265. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can restrict the importation of bees from other countries; if not, if he is considering introducing such restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55089/21]
View answerThe importation of bees into Ireland is governed by EU legislation. Member States shall permit the entry of the consignment if the legislative requirements are met.
These EU requirements are reflected in a health certificate that accompanies the consignment. The health certificate is issued by the competent authority in the country of export after a physical inspection of the bees and their packaging has taken place.
These checks ensure that the bees are healthy and that bees and the packaging do not harbour pathogens or parasites that may be harmful to our native bee stocks. EU rules and the requirements therein reflect animal health risks and are important to facilitate intra-community trade and trade with third countries which Ireland is dependent on.
My colleague with responsibility for Horticulture, Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett, met with beekeeping representative organisations and discussed the protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera.
Following this meeting there has been engagement at official level with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on internal measures to protect the native Irish honeybee. This engagement is ongoing.
I recognise 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, the Genetic Research Grant Aid Scheme, grants to national beekeeping associations and grant aid to fund capital investments for beekeepers.
My Department is also a partner in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021 – 2025 and is a member of the All-Ireland Honeybee Strategy Steering Group.
