Fears for food crops as third of Irish bee species at risk of extinction

A scientist has warned that a third of Irish bee species are vulnerable to extinction which could adversely affect the country’s food crops in the future.

The UK was warned in recent days by scientists that it faced a food security catastrophe because of its very low numbers of honeybee colonies, which provide an essential service in pollinating many crops.

Dr Jane Stout, who was one of the co-authors of the new research which studied honeybees in 41 countries, said the Government needs to take action to protect wild bumblebees and other species of solitary bees as they are vital to the food chain.