Native Irish honeybee must be saved – Murphy

Ireland’s native honeybee must be saved to ensure the country’s bee population, our biodiversity and wider agricultural interest are properly protected, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator PJ Murphy, a commercial beekeeper from Galway, said the gradual reduction of the imports of honeybees is not enough. He proposed the State must adopt a clear policy of prohibition on the importation of non-native honeybees.

Senator Murphy said Ireland has a unique responsibility to safeguard the last stronghold of the native northern European black honeybee and that the time for caution has passed.

“Reducing imports is not enough. When it comes to disease, parasites and uncontrolled cross-breeding, the only acceptable number of imports is zero. We need a full ban, and we need it now.” Senator Murphy said.

He warned that imported bees pose a serious threat not only to the genetic integrity of the native Irish honeybee, Apis mellifera mellifera, but also to bee health more broadly, citing the lessons learnt from the accidental introduction of varroa and the emerging tropilaelaps mite.

Senator Murphy argued once non-native strains are introduced, the damage cannot be undone and the country could quickly pass the point of no return.

He also criticised the delay in publishing the research report and departmental response on the native Irish honeybee, saying, “the findings are long overdue and should be released immediately”.

Senator added that the Government must show leadership and provide a clear answer on whether it will support the Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 and act to strengthen the law without further delay.

“The issue is about more than beekeeping alone. It is a matter of environmental protection, biosecurity, and the preservation of an irreplaceable native species,” Senator Murphy said.