NIHBS was formed on Sunday 25th November 2012 as an All-Ireland organisation dedicated to promoting the conservation of the Native Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera.

AIMS

1. To promote the conservation, study, improvement and re-introduction of Apis mellifera mellifera (Native Irish Honey Bee), throughout the island of Ireland.
2. To establish areas of conservation throughout the island for the conservation of Apis mellifera mellifera, the native Irish honey bee.
3. To promote the formation of Bee Improvement groups.
4. To provide education on bee improvement and to increase public awareness of the native Irish honey bee.
5. To act in an advisory capacity to groups and individuals who wish to promote it.
6. To co-operate with other Bee-Keeping organisations with similar aims.
7. To seek the help of the scientific community and other stake holders in achieving our aims and objectives.

OBJECTIVES

In pursuit of Aim 2: "To establish areas of conservation throughout the island for the conservation of the native Irish honey bee."

1. To help promote areas of conservation throughout the island to conserve the native Irish honey bee.

In pursuit of Aim 3: "To promote the formation of Bee Improvement groups."

1. To liaise with bee-keepers with a view to establishing bee improvement groups.

2. To advise and encourage bee-keepers to promote our aims and objectives.

In pursuit of Aim 4: "To provide education on bee improvement and awareness to the public of the values of the native Irish honey bee."

1. To establish a website which promotes our aims and objectives with links to organisations promoting similar aims and objectives.

2. Where possible to provide information, leaflets, press releases etc.

In pursuit of Aim 5: "To act in an advisory capacity to groups and individuals who wish to promote the native Irish honey bee."

1. To provide information as to where local improvement groups are established

2. To provide information about ongoing events.

Contacts

Chairperson: email

Secretary: email

Treasurer: email

PRO: email

Personal note.

I'm delighted NIHBS has formed. Their native bee is the same one, with natural variations, that is native to much of Northern Europe, including the U.K. A tremendous amount of work has been done in Ireland since the 1980s to increase the number of colonies of Amm and to educate beekeepers and non-beekeepers about its benefits. Considering varroa has arrived in that time they have made massive strides, which have been achieved with a lot of enthusiasm and determination.

Having visited Ireland regularly and got to know their beekeepers and beekeeping, it is clear to me they have the knowledge and ability to succeed in this new venture. As with many other things there is often initial enthusiasm, then a quick demise, but I very much doubt if this will happen here. The foundations are very solid, they have good bees and good people who know what they are doing. NIHBS has my good wishes.

Roger Patterson.

Page updated 28/02/2017