Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the introduction in Dáil Éireann of the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, which has already passed through Seanad Éireann; his position on the protection of the native Irish honey bee apis mellifera mellifera, in light of recent research highlighting the uniqueness of the Irish ecotype; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18083/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 which is a Private Members Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil last November.

When the Bill was proceeding through the Seanad my Department raised some concerns in relation to imposing a statutory ban on the importation of non-native honey bees as it could constitute a restriction on trade under EU Regulations.

Advice was sought from the Office of the Attorney General on this issue and it was considered that a total ban on the importation of certain species of honey bee would most likely face significant scrutiny on proportionality grounds, having regard to the case law of the European Court. The Office of the Attorney General also concluded that the legal and/or scientific basis to impose a ban on the importation of non-native honey bees has not been established with required certainty and evaluation in terms of proportionality and necessity; and that a scientific assessment would be required to substantiate the specific measure proposed in the Bill. Therefore, my Department procured independent scientific evidence and in October 2023, a 12 month contract was signed with the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) for the provision of research services on the native Irish honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera).

The research work by NUIG concluded in December 2024 and the research report submitted by NUIG is currently being evaluated. The outcome of this evaluation will determine the next steps.

I am fully supportive of the important work beekeepers and all the beekeeping associations in Ireland do regarding the promotion and protection of Apis mellifera mellifera. My Department provide a number of supports to the beekeeping sector. These supports include, but are not limited to, funding awards under the Genetic Resources Grant Aid Scheme, direct grant aid to the National Beekeeping Associations and the grant aid under Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. These measures provide significant support for education on, and conservation of, the native Irish honey bee.