Strength in Unity: How Local and Regional Councils Supported the Maltese Honey Bee’s National Insect Declaration

On 20 May 2023, World Bee Day, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee made a landmark step towards securing formal recognition for one of Malta’s most essential pollinators. The Foundation submitted an official request to the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) to declare the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) as the National Insect of Malta. This initiative, known as the National Insect Initiative, was launched to emphasise the ecological importance of the Maltese Honey Bee and the urgent need to protect its unique genetic lineage from threats such as genetic pollution caused by imported foreign honey bee breeds.

On the same day, the Foundation began actively reaching out to Local and Regional Councils across Malta. Recognising these councils as representatives of the public, the Foundation sought their support, asserting that endorsement from local governments would strengthen the significance of this conservation effort. The campaign also encouraged public involvement, inviting citizens to contact their Local and Regional Councils to express support.

The initiative attracted widespread public support and formal endorsements from councils nationwide. By February 2024, just before the public consultation phase, an impressive 45 out of 75 Local and Regional Councils—representing 61% of councils nationwide—had pledged their backing for the declaration. This strong support demonstrated the deep recognition among local representatives of the Maltese Honey Bee’s role in Malta’s biodiversity and its genetic identity as an endemic subspecies. For transparency, the councils that supported the initiative are listed below in bold.

Reġjun Lvant	Reġjun Punent	Reġjun Tramuntana	Reġjun Port	Reġjun Nofsinhar	Reġjun Għawdex
Għargħur Birkirkara Ġżira Iklin Lija Msida Pembroke Pietà San Ġiljan Sliema Swieqi Ta’ Xbiex	Mdina Siġġiewi Ħaż-Żebbuġ Dingli Rabat Kirkop Mqabba Qrendi Safi Żurrieq	Mellieħa Imġarr Mosta Naxxar San Pawl il-Baħar Ħ’Attard Balzan San Ġwann Imtarfa	Valletta Birgu Isla Bormla Żabbar Fgura Floriana Kalkara Paola Tarxien Xgħajra	Żejtun Qormi Birżebbuġa Gudja Għaxaq Ħamrun Luqa Marsa Marsaxlokk Marsaskala Santa Luċija Santa Venera	Rabat Fontana Għajnsielem Għarb Għasri Kerċem Munxar Nadur Qala San Lawrenz Sannat Xagħra Xewkija Żebbuġ

The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee’s efforts did not go unnoticed. The extensive campaign, public engagement, and strong support from councils and citizens underscored the national pride in the Maltese Honey Bee and the collective responsibility to protect it. Ultimately, the Maltese Honey Bee was declared the National Insect, standing as a symbol of unity, environmental awareness, and proactive conservation efforts by both citizens and councils. Through this initiative, the Maltese Honey Bee is now a celebrated flagship species of Malta’s biodiversity, a vital contributor to the island’s ecosystem, and a symbol of Malta’s dedication to conservation.

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