Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the fact whether or not bees are being imported here; if so, the locations from where they are being imported; the safeguards which are in place to ensure foreign diseases are not being introduced into the State's bee population; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18871/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The importation of bees into Ireland is prohibited under the Bees (Regulation of Import) Order 1980, except under licence issued by the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Such licences, may be subject to conditions relating to origin, place of export and import, and disposal. No licences have been issued recently.

In accordance with EU legislation, imports of bees may be authorized from third countries only if they meet certain conditions in relation to American foulbrood, small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) and Tropilaelaps spp. Imports of bees from other EU Member States are also subject to conditions in relation to these diseases. The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) and Tropilaelaps spp were added to the list of Community notifiable diseases in 2004.