Movement of bees needs careful regulation, claims McGuinness

THE movement of bees across borders and around the globe should be subjected to the same careful regulation as the movement of cattle and other livestock in the European Union, according to Ireland East MEP, Mairéad McGuinness.

She told the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday that the importance of bees in crops production continues to be underestimated.

“We will only fully appreciate the work of bees, when the bee populations disappear. But it will then be too late to act.

“The impact of declining bee populations on agriculture and horticulture is very significant.

“Three-quarters of food production is dependent on bees — many fruits and vegetables rely on bees for pollination.

“In many countries there is a trade in bees, imported to pollinate crops. Yet, despite this substantial trade in commercial bumblebees, it is largely an unregulated activity,” she said.

Ms McGuinness said imported bees can and do carry diseases.

Leaving the movement of bees unregulated is allowing for the continuing trade in potential diseases and ongoing problems for bees and beekeepers.

The varroa mite was accidentally introduced into Ireland in the 1990’s and has spread.

If left untreated the disease causes colony collapse within two years.

“The latest disease worrying Irish beekeepers is the small hive beetle, which attacks the honey comb from the inside and wrecks havoc,” she said.

Ms McGuinness said Teagasc research has shown that poor regulation of the bumblebee trade can have consequences for native bees, due to both disease importation and spread and the competition with native bees for food.

Calling for the issue of regulation to be addressed by member states and at EU level, she said beekeepers would welcome the support of the EU and the interest of the EU in their plight.

“We also need more research to find out why we have a problem of colony collapse disorder. So far the possible causes are many and varied.

“They include malnutrition, poisoning of bees with pesticides, electromagnetic radiation and suppression of the bees immune system due to as yet unidentified sources.

“But there is no clear indication of the cause and only well focused research will find answers for us,” said Ms McGuinness.