Swann warns ‘Pride must not come before preparedness’ as UK Government steps in to tackle Asian Hornet threat

South Antrim MP Robin Swann has welcomed confirmation from Mary Creagh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature, that DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are now supporting officials in Northern Ireland to respond to the confirmed sighting of an Asian Hornet.

Minister Creagh has confirmed to Mr Swann that DEFRA and APHA had “worked closely with officials from Northern Ireland to help them prepare and publish a contingency plan for action against Asian hornets,” and that inspectors from APHA’s National Bee Unit and Non-Native Species Inspectorate had provided on-the-ground support in response to the 10 October sighting.

Mr Swann said:

“I want to thank the Minister, DEFRA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency for stepping in to provide expert assistance to Northern Ireland in dealing with this confirmed sighting of an Asian Hornet. This cooperation is absolutely vital to protect our bee populations and wider biodiversity.”

However, Mr Swann expressed disappointment that support was only sought after the Asians hornet’s arrival, noting that the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir MLA, had previously written to him stating that his department did not require any external assistance from DEFRA, in the absence of a Northern Ireland Bee Inspector. 

Mr Swann said:

“It is deeply disappointing that it took an actual sighting of the Asian Hornet in Northern Ireland for the Minister to seek the help that was always available.

“When it comes to biosecurity and pollinator health, we cannot afford to let pride come before preparedness. DAERA should have been proactive in drawing on the expertise of DEFRA and APHA much earlier.”

Mr Swann said he would continue to press both governments to ensure that lessons are learned and that the necessary resources, including trained bee inspectors, are put in place to respond quickly to future threats.

Mr Swann added:

“The sighting of the Asian Hornet should be a wake-up call. We need a robust, joined-up approach to protect Northern Ireland’s hives and pollinators, and that means constructively with DEFRA and other partners.”