The international conference was attended by around 200 leading bee scientists from all over Europe and further afield, as well as by local beekeepers and academics.
Speaking at the ceremony the Minister said: “We are beginning to realise just how great our reliance on bees really is. Through pollination, bees support environmental biodiversity, and sustain a significant proportion of all agricultural crops here. By visiting wild flowers, bees are one of the keystones of most of the ecosystems on this island.”
The Minister also referred to the need for a bee industry strategy, saying: “Later this year I will be commissioning work to start on a local Bee Health Strategy. This strategy will be developed in conjunction with the industry here and will tackle a range of issues that are a priority for local beekeepers including research, training and Colony Collapse Disorder.”
Notes to Editors:
- EurBee3 is the third European Bee Conference. It took place at Queens University, Belfast, from the 8 – 11 September 2008.
- The welcome speech was given by Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, on the 8 September 2008 in the Whitla Hall, Queens University, Belfast.
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