Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a cocktail of sprays used on crops are having a devastating effect on the bee population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20337/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the concern in Europe in relation to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which is affecting the honey bee population across Europe. This concern has resulted in the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) initiating a research project to identify factors causing CCD. This will highlight gaps in scientific knowledge and guide future research in this area. At present the cause of CCD is not known, although various factors are thought to be responsible including starvation, viruses, mites, pesticide (spray) exposure and climate change. There is already publicly funded Irish research into effects and treatments for varroa mite. It is hoped that this research programme will help identify the reason for CCD and allow countries to take appropriate measures to help counteract the problem.