Why not beehives as livestock units to satisfy ANC stocking requirements?

Upland farmers can keep donkeys to help them qualify for disadvantaged areas payments. Why not give the same status for beehives? Such areas could play a vital role in restoring pollinators. 

With biodiversity under pressure, it was a pity that Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue wasn’t more encouraging of a recent suggestion that beehives be substituted for livestock units in farmer payment schemes.

He acknowledged the important contribution bees make to agriculture and biodiversity, as pollinators and honey producers.