The Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations

Lobbying Organisation The Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations

Date published 30 Dec, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details 1. Permit the ‘Native Irish trees’ restrictions to be expanded to include a number of species of commercial trees that have been naturalised on this island for over 800 years. 2. Protect and develop Ireland’s hedgerow heritage. Establish standards for maintenance and optimisation for farming, carbon sequestration and biodiversity including apiculture. 3. Encourage beekeeping as an complementary source of income on farms.

Intended results 1. Such trees are important in the current ecosystem and are critical to our biodiversity and bee life. The demise of the Elm and Ash make this change in the named trees specified in the regulation even more important. 2. Establish standards for maintenance and optimisation for farming, carbon sequestration and biodiversity including apiculture. Provide incentives and enforce sanctions on poor behaviour. 3. Encourage beekeeping as an complementary source of income on farms.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Donal Lehane

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

A short document advocating steps to creating a more bee friendly landscape in Ireland was submitted by email to address: CapStrategicPlan@agriculture.gov.ie. We believe our suggestions will help Ireland to optimise the opportunities, provided by the Green Deal agenda (2023-2027).

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)