Funding will be provided to appoint a farmland pollinator officer based at the National Biodiversity Data Centre. The announcement this week came from Minister of State with responsibility for land use and biodiversity, Pippa Hackett.

The Minister stated that the pollinator officer will assist in the implementation of the farmland actions in the new pollinator plan and provide support to local authorities, gardeners, businesses and farmers encouraging them “to work together to try to create an Ireland where pollinators can not only survive, but thrive”.

She added: “Pollinators play a key role in a healthy ecosystem, and taking action to protect and enhance them will benefit biodiversity, and also provide a vehicle for direct engagement with the farming community.”

Plan

The Minister also noted that the Programme for Government commits to supporting the development of a new pollinator plan for 2021-2025 and this is due to be published early in 2021.

The current and first All-Ireland Pollinator Plan began in 2015 and participation is voluntary.

Pollinators are vital in farming and food production. The funding to appoint a Farmland Pollinator Officer shows clear intent by the Department of Agriculture to improve habitats for pollinators on farmland.

The Minister concluded: “My department is fully committed to playing its part in helping to deliver a more ambitious pollinator programme on farms, and I am delighted to acknowledge and welcome that.”

Applications are now open for the appointment.