Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the proposals she has to provide grant aid for honey production, in view of the fact that substantial amounts of honey are being imported from outside the EU into Ireland and that other EU Member States provide such grant aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25424/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Last year 1,775 tonnes of honey was imported into Ireland, compared to an estimated 250 tonnes produced by Irish beekeepers. The scheme for capital investment in the commercial horticulture sector, which is operated by my Department and funded under the National Development Plan, is intended to assist in the development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment.

A minimum investment of €2,000 in the case of beekeeping was required in order to be considered for grant aid and two beekeepers have been approved for grant aid under the current round of the scheme.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the State assistance which has been provided for beekeepers who suffered major set backs since the arrival of the Varroa mite here in 1998; the proposals she has in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25425/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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When Varroa was first identified in Ireland in 1998, infected stocks and those in surrounding areas were destroyed in an effort to contain and eradicate the disease. In 1998 and 1999 a total of €30,000 was paid in compensation to affected beekeepers by my Department. However, Varroa has become widespread throughout the country since then and a policy of continuous monitoring, control and treatment is now recommended to beekeepers.

It has been decided that the best approach to funding the control of this disease is through ongoing research aimed at devising an integrated management strategy involving the use of chemical and biotechnical methods and the deployment of Varroa resistant bees. This research project comprises the main element of our national apiculture programme 2005/07, proposed by the Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations and is co-funded by the EU under Council Regulation (EC) No 797/2004 of 26 April 2004.

There are no funds currently available to assist beekeepers with the cost of restocking following the loss of bees and equipment to Varroa disease.