Clarins company to help fund bee research at Maynooth University in Kildare

A beauty business is to support a two year research project on bees at Maynooth University department of biology.

The research will be conducted by Rachel Ward under the supervision of Professor Kevin Kavanagh and Dr. Mary Coffey (University of Limerick).

It will examine the immune response of winter bees, which can live for up to six months, but may be susceptible to infection.  The project will also analyse the effect of different treatments on the immune system of bees and identify the optimum time for treatment to ensure survival of hives through the winter.

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 Eoghan O’Sullivan, general manager, Clarins Ireland said the group  uses over 250 plants and flowers in the formulation of its products. “Honey bee’s and their role in our natural environment, now more than ever, is vital.  It is important that we understand how to improve Irish bee health and survival rates through the winter period. We believe this can be done through proactively researching on immune system best practice. The importance of this study will allow other countries and bee keeping communities to analyse, interpret and improve the survival rates of the overwintering bee.’

Professor Kevin Kavanagh said honey bee populations are under serious threat from disease and toxins in the environment. “This project which is supported by Clarins Ireland, will examine the immune system of over-wintering honey bees and help develop new strategies to enable them survive the effect of pathogens and toxins. It will make a significant contribution to reducing the losses of bee hives each year in Ireland.”

 The results of this project will greatly assist Irish beekeepers in maintaining bee populations and the findings will also have direct benefits for beekeepers in other European countries.