Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
298. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning the importation of non-native honeybees given the threat they pose to the native Irish honeybee (apis mellifera mellifera) arising from introgression, crossing and cross-breeding; the research available to date to his Department regarding this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43317/23]
View answerThe movement of bees within the Union is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) which is supplemented by Commission Implementing and Delegated Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2020/688 and 2021/403). These EU regulations contain specific provisions to safeguard the health of bees located in the territory of the union. The importation of honeybees into Ireland is allowed under these Regulations and a statutory ban on non-native bee imports into Ireland may constitute a restriction on trade.
My Department has procured research services to provide an independent scientific assessment to investigate the threat to and adverse impact upon biodiversity and the ecosystem arising from the introgression/crossing/cross-breeding of the native Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera with non-native species or sub-species of and/or strains derived from Apis mellifera imported to Ireland.
A Request for Tender for the provision of Research Services regarding the Native Irish Honey Bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) was published on the eTenders website. The tendering process is now complete, and a 12-month contract is currently being finalised.
