Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the proposer of the amendment, I am hopeful it will be accepted and receive support across the House. We have all heard from the beekeepers of Ireland in their advocacy. It is clear that the protection of bees and beekeeping is not in any way a whimsical issue. Beekeeping is a key activity in rural Ireland and our pollinator plan is an excellent document. It the was the subject of extensive consultation and there was an input from farming groups of every kind and type.It has had inputs from communities across Ireland. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is an excellent piece of work on the part of the Government and it should be proud of it. I ask the Minister to be proud of that work and of the significant targets set out in it. This amendment is not prescriptive but simply proposes that the Minister would have regard to the national pollinator plan. It is very reasonable.

Others have spoken at length about the role of pollination in respect of our crops and so forth. These are core issues for farmers if we move towards high value goods and market gardening, which is effectively the future for much of Ireland's farming. I can give a small example which resonated with me. It takes 20 visits from a pollinator to form a full correct apple. One might have an apple that tastes fine but if one wishes to have an apple one can sell and which will meet the various standards that are demanded in different shops, 20 visits are required. There is a real concern that if pollination is compromised the output of orchards, market gardeners and farmers, and the marketability of their product, will be impacted directly. Potentially, we face large scale food wastage as well as economic loss. We heard previously about pumpkins. Basically, higher value, high input crops are crucial. In fact, in many parts of the world bees are moved around actively to encourage positive pollination.

We have a good pollinator plan in the Government's plan. We have opposed the Government on various other matters but, in fairness, neither I nor anybody else here drafted the plan. The plan represents the input of all groups in society, including the farming community, so it would be appropriate that the Minister would have regard to it when she draws up her criteria and regulations. I strongly seek the support of the House on this. It would be strange not to support regard for the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. To refer again to the collective good, there are certain tillage crops that do not depend on pollinators, but on wind pollination. However, when we develop our national agricultural policy and when we make the case to Europe for that policy we must look to the wider, collective good. I urge all farmers, including those who might not be directly affected by the pollination issue, to have regard and consideration for their fellow farmers and to ensure we have a robust and effective pollinator plan. I will press this amendment strongly and I hope it will receive support across the House.