Clare Beekeepers Warned of Potential Decline from Hasty Import Ban

Beekeepers in Clare may face significant losses if the Government hastily implements a proposed import ban on non-native honey bees. This legislation is currently in the second stage of review in the Dáil, having been approved by the Seanad in 2024.

The Irish Beekeeper Organisation has advocated for this ban to safeguard the native Irish honeybee from crossbreeding. Clare Colleran-Molloy, a Fianna Fáil Councillor and member of Clare’s Biodiversity Forum, warns that enacting the law without thorough research could adversely affect responsible beekeepers and their businesses in the region.