AQW 17136/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 12/04/2021
Answered On Date: 21/04/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk to the health of domestic bee colonies from the importation of honey bees.

Answer:

DAERA officials are aware of the concerns that have been expressed surrounding the potential to introduce exotic bee diseases through the medium of imports.

European Union (EU) legislation, with which Northern Ireland (NI) must continue to comply under the Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol, requires that only certain control measures may be applied when moving bees between countries within the EU and into Northern Ireland.

Such moves may therefore take place if the bees are accompanied by an Animal Health Certificate which has been signed by an official authorised by the competent authority of the country of origin. However certain conditions apply, with the certificate requiring specific attestations for American Foul Brood, Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) and Tropilaelaps mite (Tropilaelaps spp.). Intra-community bee movements must be pre-notified using the EU’s TRACES system and in writing to DAERA using a form available on our website. DAERA officials intend to inspect such consignments when they arrive in Northern Ireland.

Beekeepers here are particularly concerned about the potential for the introduction of Small hive beetle which is known to exist in one region of Italy (Calabria). EU legislation imposes strict controls on the export of bees from the affected region effectively mitigating against this risk. DAERA does not therefore consider that there is a significant risk of the introduction of Small Hive Beetle and it would not be appropriate to impose additional constraints on the movement of bees from Italy.