Written answers

Tuesday, 21 March 2006

Department of Agriculture and Food

Departmental Programmes

8:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 589: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the funding provided by her Department for the control of varroa in bees; the funding specifically available to beekeepers to control the mite in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10881/06]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Funding for research into the control of varroa in honey bees has been the main element of my Department's apiculture programme.

From 2002 to 2004, a total of €138,800 was provided to Teagasc towards the development of integrated biological control methods under Irish conditions. Approval has been given for expenditure of a further €225,000 for the period from 2005 to 2007 for this research programme. The programme, which is drawn up in close collaboration with the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations, is aimed at devising an integrated management strategy involving the use of chemical and biotechnical methods and the deployment of varroa resistant bees. The programme is 50% co-funded by the EU. No funding is provided to individual beekeepers.

My Department has also given financial support towards updating the Teagasc booklet entitled, The Varroa Mite in Honeybees. This publication provides useful reference material for beekeepers on varroa detection, monitoring, control and treatment.

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