§ Mr. FFRENCHasked whether the bee pest in the Isle of Wight is that known as foul brood; whether it is spreading to the mainland; and if any steps have been taken by the Irish Board of Agriculture to prevent the importation of queen bees from infected areas into Ireland?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe disease known as foul brood or bee pest, which the Department of Agriculture have power to deal with under the provisions of the Bee Pest Prevention (Ireland) Act, 1908, is totally distinct from that known as the "Isle of Wight Bee Disease." The latter disease has now spread to the mainland of England, but it has not yet appeared in Ireland. The Department have no powers under which they could prohibit the importation of bees or bee-keeping appliances from Great Britain, but they have recently issued a notice warning Irish beekeepers against the danger of purchasing bees and bee-keeping appliances from districts in Great Britain other than those in which it is known that disease does not exist. They have also issued a memorandum to all inspectors appointed under the Bee Pest Prevention (Ireland) Act, 1908, giving particulars as to the symptoms of the Isle of Wight Bee Disease and instructing the inspectors to watch for any signs of this disease.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill the Irish Department of Agriculture for the protection of Irish bee-keepers co-operate with the Board of Agriculture in this country?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYYes; I have no doubt where it is possible they would do so as a matter of course.