12 May 2009

PRESS RELEASE

"Bee Proactive"

Ulster Unionist MLA for North Down, Leslie Cree, has called on the Minister for Agriculture to take immediate steps to address a "worrying" decline in bee numbers during a visit to Lady Dufferin’s Estate, Clandeboye, on Tuesday.

"One in three of Northern Ireland’s honey bee colonies have vanished in the last year with further losses predicted unless funding is provided to investigate the causes," Mr Cree said.

"The reasons for this decline must be tackled head on, and it is incumbent on the minister to take urgent steps to create a Bee Health Strategy, as already in place in England. We are launching our ‘Bee Proactive’ campaign this week to bring this critical issue to the fore. I am deeply concerned given the potential impact on local agriculture and the wider economy."

Joined by European candidate, Jim Nicholson, and fellow North Down UUP MLA, Alan McFarland, Mr Cree met with students on a preliminary beekeeping course organises by DEFRA.

Local man and course tutor, Phelim Breen, who is a member of the Ulster Beekeeping Association, said: "The course provides training in the practical skills and knowledge associated with keeping bees, including the natural history of the honey bee, caring for bees, honey bee forage plants and pollination. Any moves to protect this species, which is increasingly under threat, is certainly to be welcomed."

Conservatives and Unionists European candidate Jim Nicholson MEP agreed that the decline in the bee population must be addressed:

"This is an issue that is being taken very seriously at EU level. Last November the European Parliament adopted a motion for a resolution on the problems of beekeeping, pressing all 27 EU governments and the European Commission to take action.

"Beekeeping is essential to our natural environment. If we are doing something which is damaging to bee colonies then we need to find out and fix it urgently."

Alan McFarland MLA said that Northern Ireland must become proactive on this issue, or face dire consequences.
"Bees are essential to pollinating fruit and vegetables, as well as maintaining wildlife, and if this isn’t taken seriously then our arable and cash crop agricultural sectors are being placed in very real danger," he said.

Ends