The Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Association (FIBA) has outlined its summer course for 2013.
The week-long event will include a honey show sponsored by Bord Bia, workshops and talks.
One of the subjects under discussion will be pollination and the declining bee population in Ireland and the rest of the world.
National secretary for FIBA Michael G. Gleeson said “The reality is that since the arrival of the varroa mite – a parasite that lives on the honey bee – in Ireland in 1998, all of the honey bees living in the wild have died – that’s more than half the country’s honey bees.
“There have been substantial losses to bee farmers too, compounded by last year’s weather. In the last couple of weeks the weather has been a tonic to the bees, helping them to bounce back.”
Flemming Vejsnæs from Denmark will be speaking at the event, a biologist with focus on pollination.
The full FIBKA Preliminary Course is taught during the week, including two practical apiary sessions.
Running in Gormanstown since 1961, this event is unique in the beekeeping world – catering for everyone from beginners to expert for an entire week.
Reservations and further information on this Gormanstown event can be found here.
