The Aims of the Co. WBKA, as prescribed in its Constitution are:

  • The promotion and provision of education in the Art of Beekeeping, and
  • To promote the conservation of the native dark bee, Apis mellifera mellifera,
  • The Co. Waterford Beekeepers’ Association will protect and conserve, propagate and promote the native Irish Honey bee, Apis mellifera mellifera.

Co. Waterford and its surrounds is a voluntary conservation area for Apis m.mellifera.  

Members were instrumental in setting up the Native Irish Honey Bee Society.

Photo shows  Apis mellifera mellifera / Native Irish Honey bee Queen surrounded
by her retinue/court of workers.

Photo courtesy of PJ Curran

“The native Irish honey bee is part of the subspecies that evolved in north-western Europe and research supported by DAFM and NIHBS confirmed unambiguously in 2018 that it is genetically distinctive.  This distinctiveness contributes to the traits that make it the bee most adapted to Irish climate and weather patterns.  Nevertheless, the bee is vulnerable to external threats principally hybridization with bees from a different genetic stock and to diseases that might be imported with bees from abroad.

Local beekeeping organisations aware of both the merits of the native bee and the extent of the threats it faces have declared local voluntary conservation areas in which members undertake to keep only native bees and to encourage new members to do likewise.

NIHBS provides support and encouragement to such initiatives. To learn more about this topic and why it is important, see the item by Hayden and Ferguson1 elsewhere on this site.” – Hayden T and Ferguson B (2018) Voluntary Conservation Areas for the Native Irish Honeybee. Four Seasons No 71 Autumn: 20-27.

Co. Waterford Beekeepers’ Association is a voluntary area of conservation and signage is erected by members around the county.

Further information from the Native Irish Honey Bee Society https://nihbs.org/