Bad weather conditions have resulted in depleted numbers of bees and a scarcity of honey.
At the annual summer meeting of the Federation of Irish Beekeepers at Gormanston in county Meath, 1,500 Beekeepers from throughout Ireland have warned that there will be a scarcity of honey this year as so many bees have perished in the cold weather.
It is estimated that as much as half of the total bee population has been wiped out.
Michael Woulfe, President of the Federation of Irish Beekeeper's Association, describes the situation as very serious.
Irish honey will certainly be scarce.
While production of honey is down, many are still enthusiastic about the hobby of beekeeping.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 21 July 1986. The reporter is Alan McCullough.
