Daly wants motorway verges uncut to protect bee population

Senator Paul Daly has called for the authorities not to cut the grass verges along motorways to help protect the population of wild bees.

The Longford Westmeath senator, who is FF Agriculture Spokesperson for the Seanad, calculated that if the verges along the M6 between Dublin and Galway grow wild, there would be 95 acres.

Speaking in the Seanad during National Biodiversity Week, he said: “Plantlife UK has started a No-Mow May campaign and I welcome the fact that The National Biodiversity Data Centre along and An Post are sending out 2.3 million postcards to Irish residents with the same idea that they might not mow their lawns.

“Dandelions, red and white clovers, birds-foot-trefoil are three natural plants that grow in wild grass. They’re the best source of nectar and pollen.

“The authorities need to start leading by example. It needs to come from TII that the grass does not need to be cut. If 95 acres was left for the dandelion, clover and birds-foot to grow it would have a massive effect on biodiversity and the bee population.”