Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
781. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of efforts to prevent the spread of varroa mite among Ireland's native honey bees; if he will consider reintroducing a restriction of the importation of non-native honey bees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49561/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Varroa mite is one of the most serious concerns for honey bee health globally and is now endemic in Ireland. The National Apiculture Programme is co-funded by the Department and the EU and provides funding to carry out applied research for the Irish apiculture sector which will be beneficial to many beekeepers in Ireland. As part of the current National Apiculture Programme, research is being carried out to identify and combat pests and diseases, particularly Varroasis and alternative control treatments.
In addition, the Department provides a bee health service for beekeepers, free of charge, facilitating the early detection of pests and pathogens which is key to maintaining a healthy stock of bees in Ireland. The bee health service includes the operation of the Sentinel Apiary Programme along with volunteer beekeepers throughout Ireland. As part of the programme, volunteer beekeepers submit samples of hive debris, these are then analysed and provide the beekeeper with an estimation of the Varroa mite load in the colony.
The 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 is seeking further advice on this issue.
