Ireland's native honeybee must be saved to ensure our bee population, biodiversity and wider agricultural interests are protected.
That's according to Ardrahan-based Senator PJ Murphy, who is himself a commercial beekeeper.
He argues that Government must adopt a complete ban on the importation of non-native honeybees.
Senator Murphy says when it comes to disease, parasites and uncontrolled cross-breeding, the only acceptable number of imports is zero.
Advertisement
He claims as one of the last strongholds of the native European Dark Bee, Ireland has a unique responsibility - and the time for caution has passed.
