“Unique Insect: The Maltese Honey Bee” Now Available in English

The Foundation is thrilled to announce the release of the educational video “Unique Insect: The Maltese Honey Bee” in the English language. This video highlights the importance of the Maltese Honey Bee, an endemic subspecies, and forms part of a broader effort to recognise and protect this invaluable insect.

A heartfelt thank you to all the contributors who made this project a reality; Saviour Bonnici, the videographer; and interviewees Joseph Calleja, Simone Cutajar, Arnold Grech, Prof. David Mifsud, Michaelangelo Muscat and Jorge Spiteri. A shout-out to the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector for their invaluable support.

In Malta, a select number of plants and animals have been designated as “National Species.” On 20th May 2023, during World Bee Day, the Foundation submitted an official request to the Environment and Resources Authority to include the Maltese Honey Bee in this prestigious list as Malta’s National Insect. This request is supported by the findings of a legal study, which was the result of a collaborative effort with academics from the University of Malta.

Designating a species as a “National Species” places a responsibility on government entities to take specific measures for their conservation. This includes preserving the natural habitats where these species reside, and protecting them from invasive alien species.

Should the Maltese Honey Bee be declared a National Species, it would significantly enhance efforts to protect it as an endemic subspecies. However, the benefits extend beyond just conservation. By harnessing the widespread admiration for the Maltese Honey Bee, these conservation actions would also promote broader environmental protection initiatives across the country.

This declaration would not adversely affect beekeepers. On the contrary, the law explicitly emphasises the importance of ensuring that current uses, such as beekeeping, are compatible with conservation efforts. Rather than being a hindrance, this recognition would offer increased protection for beekeepers, acknowledging that beekeeping is a vital tool for the conservation of this subspecies. Beekeepers, in this context, would become the guardians of Malta’s National Insect.

There are additional benefits for the local beekeeping sector. The prestige of local honey is set to rise, as it would not only be a product of local flora but also be produced by an endemic subspecies recognised as Malta’s National Insect. The new status of the Maltese Honey Bee is also expected to highlight its significance, likely reducing the importation of foreign bees. This would contribute to making the beekeeping sector more sustainable by minimising the risk of introducing new diseases—a key factor in the rising costs of beekeeping.

All National Species receive greater visibility, and with that comes an increased likelihood of financial support, which in turn facilitates conservation efforts. The declaration is expected to lead to the creation of more green jobs related to conservation, ultimately benefitting our endemic subspecies. Furthermore, we anticipate a boost in apitourism, with tourists and foreign beekeepers eager to witness the nurturing of this rare subspecies on the Maltese Islands while enjoying the unique flavour of Maltese honey. Malta stands to gain further from this opportunity, potentially assuming a leading role in environmental conservation efforts and serving as a model for other nations.

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Disclaimer: This project has been funded by the Small Initiatives Support Scheme (SIS) managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) supported by the Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector (MIV). This project/ publication reflects the views only of the author, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use which may be made of the information contained therein.