Swann calls for greater support for Northern Ireland’s bee population amid DAERA staffing shortage

Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister is facing renewed pressure after confirming that his department is grappling with a shortage of trained bee inspectors, despite choosing not to seek external assistance from Westminster or other agencies.

Robin Swann MP has expressed his concerns, questioning the Minister’s actions to safeguarding the region’s honeybee population in light of the declining number of specialist inspectors.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is currently under strain, with fewer trained personnel available to monitor and respond to threats to bee health.

In response, the Alliance Party’s Agriculture Minister acknowledged the challenge but defended the department’s capacity to meet its statutory obligations.

“DAERA’s legislative responsibility in relation to honeybees, which is to respond to confirmed findings of notifiable diseases, is currently undertaken by staff within the wider Agriculture Inspectorate who have had specific training in bee inspections,” the Minister stated.

“My Department is currently experiencing resource pressures within the Agriculture Inspectorate, including recent reductions in staff trained in bee inspections. However, it will continue to meet its statutory obligations in relation to honeybee health.”

The Minister further clarified that the Department does not intend to seek help from external agencies at this time.

“Currently, my officials advise that the Department does not require external assistance in carrying out bee inspections.”

The Department has been engaging with stakeholders, including the Ulster Beekeepers Association (UBKA), in an effort to reassure the public and bee conservation groups.

“Officials have met recently with the Ulster Beekeepers Association (UBKA) to discuss their concerns and to outline the Department’s ongoing recruitment of Agricultural Inspectors. It was also clarified that sufficient inspectors can be appropriately trained and made available from within the overall Department as required to meet its legislative obligations.

“Should the need arise for further capacity, the Department would consider engaging the services of the Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and, where necessary, from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).”

The Minister also revealed that recruitment efforts are currently underway.

“…recruits staff to the Agriculture Inspectorate, within which a wide variety of legislative inspections are undertaken by appropriately trained staff, including bee inspections…. Recruitment competitions are currently ongoing to increase the Agriculture Inspectorate staff resource.

“…When appointed, successful candidates are assigned to inspection duties to meet the Department’s requirements.”

Despite these assurances, Mr Swann remains sceptical about the adequacy of the Department’s current strategy.

“Our honeybees play a crucial role in our local ecosystems, plant pollination and food protection. It is so important that DAERA ensure that these bees are healthy and free of disease, so I am pleased that recruitment for the Agricultural Inspectorate are underway, and I do hope that this will result in greater resourcing for the protection of our honeybees.

“The need for these Bee Inspectors to be in place is now far overdue, so the quicker the soon these appointments can be made with appropriate candidates the better.”

He urged the Minister to consider broader support options.

“The Minister has admitted that his department is resourcing pressures and that’s why I am urging him to remain open to making use of any additional support available in aid in bee inspection – including mutual assistance.”

Beekeeping advocates and environmental campaigners are likely to continue monitoring the situation closely, as honeybee populations remain a crucial indicator of ecological health and agricultural stability across Northern Ireland.