Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I was in my office dusting off my "What is Plan B?" posters that we had from debates in the previous Oireachtas on the Heritage Bill. It was a debate on the related issue of habitat and the crucial requirement to protect hedgerows in the context of that legislation. The focus in particular was on habitats that are crucial for pollinators. At that point, we recognised the intrinsic role of pollinators, in particular our native bees, in every part of the ecosystem. These are the enliveners, the continuers. This is what makes for our ecologically rich biodiversity and also plays a crucial role in horticulture.

The fact is that we rely very heavily on pollinators, and we do not do enough to protect them. If lost, they are not something that can be magically found again. A loss can be devastating. A bad decision, such as the ones we have seen regarding importation, can be devastating. We have heard about the scientific examples such as the small hive beetle. Ireland was free from varroa mite and we had managed to avoid the devastating impact on our bees but then we lost that status following the importation of that pathogen and disease. Habitat is one crucial issue and the other one is hybridisation, as Senator Martin correctly identifies.

There are many advantages to the native Irish honeybee. We will be praising it and outlining why it is particularly suited to Ireland, and why it is the favourite bee for beekeepers in Ireland. Some 90% of beekeepers use it. The reason is based on the temperatures it can live at and the placid nature of the bee, which is very important given that we are seeing more urban beekeeping, and more attempts to create the contiguous territories that are needed in terms of bees and pollinator pathways. We are not simply talking about the role of pollinators in a rural context, but also in an urban context, which is crucial in terms of our national pollinator strategy. It is why we are pressing towns and villages now to have pollinator plans.

We must bear in mind the nature of Apis mellifera mellifera, the native honeybee, the fact that it is the best bee suited to our environment but also, crucially, the dangers that are created by importation and hybridisation. I looked at the research from NUI Galway, which confirms that 90% of Irish beekeepers choose to work with the native Irish honeybee. The science is very clear on this matter.

I was going to make many of the same points Senator Boylan made, but I will not repeat everything. The law is also very clear. The precautionary principle is a core principle underpinning EU law and that is also evident in case law in the Danish case and other examples in the European Court of Justice. It is within the remit of a country to seek to protect the life and health of species of animals. We must consider the intrinsic dangers that are presented by the importation of diseases and pathogens for the horticultural industry as well. The law is very clear on this. It should not be an obstacle. I say this as somebody who spent way too long deep in EU trade law. The law is not an obstacle in this regard. We are empowered to take the actions that have been outlined by Senator Martin in this regard. I think it will be followed through.

I also wish to make a point that has not been mentioned concerning the sustainable development goals. Again, they are something to which Ireland has signed up. An implementation plan is being considered at the moment. Target 15.8 of the sustainable development goals explicitly calls on governments like ours to "introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species." Indicator 15.8.1, as a measure of the delivery on which that sustainable development goal is based, refers to the "Proportion of countries adopting relevant national legislation and adequately resourcing the prevention or control of invasive alien species." This is literally something we have signed up to in the sustainable development goals, as well as being allowable and indeed required if we are to be true to the precautionary principle under EU law. In addition, the science tells us that it works and that it matters. The support is there.Let us celebrate and protect something precious we have. I urge the Minister of State to ensure this does not get blocked in red tape because if we lose the native honeybee, it cannot be recovered in the same way. If we expose ourselves needlessly to such a loss, we are endangering our national ecosystems, heritage, horticulture industry and future.