Environment, conservation,education.

County Development Plan Submission 23/07/2021

We wish to make the following submission to your development plan on the conservation of all Native Irish Bees to include our native Black Honeybee Apis mellifera mellifera.

Our native black honey bee has been here since the last ice age and have survived many millennia and has adapted to the Irish wet climate. Over the last number of decades, the importation of bees is having a detrimental effect on all bees, these non-native bees bring with them many viruses and pathogens which effect all bee species.

Bees coming from warmer climate areas do not do well. We would ask that areas of conservation be adopted in this county and that the movement of imported bees in these areas be restricted. These designated areas could join other established regions as special areas of conservation for example such areas as the Nire Valley, Blackwater and Bride Valleys.

We are asking that areas for biodiversity be created similar to Special areas of conservation and that the movement of people in these areas be restricted, example of restrictions would be ‘No hunting’ or dog exercising and only pathways in these areas can be used by people.

The flora available is a great issue for the survival and increase in the Irish bees, as many of its food sources have been depleted over a substantial and continual number of years. As hedgerows, ditches have been removed, spraying of fields and strong hedge cutting to name but a few. This has stolen huge numbers of flowers/plants/shrubs/hedges/trees that sustain a healthy and lasting pollinator population. We wish to promote an education pattern into everyone’s mindset, for not only habitat, especially for the solitary bees, who are the majority of the bee species, but also in planting and encouraging food sources, in every space, be it countryside, urban or residential gardens. It is a question of a re-think by all, into providing a rich and natural ‘bee friendly’ environment once again.

Our heritage restored. Climate change is adding to the food problem, but planting and careful management can restore this imbalance, it’s a local issue, that can be addressed locally, one that has

measurable success and ultimately, a global success for the pollinators per say, but especially for the native Irish bees. Without them we and our society will suffer immeasurable problems in the future for something that truly is well within our reach to achieve, providing we educate one and all.

Yours on behalf of IBCP.,

Pat Deasy