A Carrickmacross senator is on a mission to "save the Irish native bee" which is facing a real threat of extinction.
Green Party Senator, Vincent P Martin, says Ireland is one of the very last strong holds of the native 'Irish Honey Bee' also known as (Apis mellifera mellifera), which is under threat from the continued importation of none-native strains into the country.
Known to many as the 'Black Honey Bee', Senator Martin claims over 90% of bee-keepers in Ireland support the proposed ban to keep non-native bees out of Ireland.
While a large number of people has supported the proposed legislation, the Monaghan man says there is still a "small number" of people who have decided against the proposal.
To avoid extinction and to give the native bee which he says is "part of our Irish heritage" a chance, Vincent P Martin believes "it's time" to legislate a ban on the importation of non-native bees.
Speaking to Northern Sound, he added that the bill is "off to a good start" in the Seanad, and called on Government to "move it on" without further delay.
