Robin Swann MP presses Minister Muir over lack of Bee Inspector in Northern Ireland

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has called on Environment Minister Andrew Muir MLA to explain why no steps have been taken to secure a Bee Inspector for Northern Ireland, raising concerns over the protection of pollinators and hive health across the region.

In a formal letter sent to the Minister, the Ulster Unionist Party MP questioned why the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has yet to request support from the National Bee Unit of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which recently trained 50 new inspectors for England and Wales.

“As you will be aware, Northern Ireland does not currently have in place a dedicated ‘Bee Inspector’ responsible for the health of our bees and hives,” Mr Swann wrote. “I have recently called on Westminster to consider seconding an inspector to Northern Ireland to help address this issue.”

The MP underscored the critical role of bees in maintaining local ecosystems and biodiversity.

“Bees play an essential role in our local environment and biodiversity, and their protection must be a priority. As such, I am surprised that your department has not yet requested mutual assistance in this regard, and I am writing to ask why this is the case.”

Swann’s intervention follows confirmation from DEFRA that the APHA has expanded its capacity with new appointments to monitor and safeguard bee health in England and Wales. The National Bee Unit is regarded as the UK’s leading authority on bee welfare and disease control, offering vital services such as hive inspections, pest monitoring, and disease response.

In contrast, Northern Ireland currently has no such inspection framework in place, leaving local hives vulnerable to disease, parasites such as the Varroa mite, and other environmental threats. The absence of a dedicated inspector raises questions over the region’s preparedness to respond to potential outbreaks of bee-related diseases.

Environmental groups and local beekeepers have echoed the concerns raised by Mr Swann, calling for urgent government action to safeguard pollinator populations. With global bee populations under strain, the lack of a coordinated approach in Northern Ireland could have significant ecological and agricultural repercussions.

Mr Swann’s letter calls for clarity on whether DAERA intends to request assistance from the APHA, and if not, what alternative measures the department plans to implement.

Minister Muir has not yet publicly responded to the correspondence.