Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The movement of bees within the Union is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) which is supplemented by Commission Implementing and Delegated Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2020/688 and 2021/403). These EU regulations contain specific provisions to safeguard the health of bees located in the territory of the Union. The importation of honeybees into Ireland is allowed under these Regulations and a statutory ban on non-native bee imports into Ireland may constitute a restriction on trade.

Import data from the past three years shows a decline in the number of honey bees imported into Ireland from 1285 in 2021 to 388 in 2023.

My Department has procured research services to provide an independent scientific assessment to investigate the threat to and adverse impact upon biodiversity and the ecosystem arising from the introgression/crossing/cross-breeding of the native Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera with non-native species or sub-species of and/or strains derived from Apis mellifera imported to Ireland. In October 2023, the National University of Ireland, Galway entered into a 12-month contract for the provision of research services regarding the Native Irish Honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera ). Work has commenced on this project and it is important that this work concludes before deciding whether or not to introduce legislation banning the importation of non-native honey bees into Ireland.