The government said Tuesday it has approved a national action plan to address the sharp increase in the Oriental Hornet population and its impact on apiculture, agriculture, and public safety.

Although the species has been present in Malta for many years, a rapid population boom last season exerted unprecedented pressure on local bee colonies, significantly reducing honey production and raising safety concerns in public and residential areas. To counter this, a package of seven complementary actions backed by an investment of around one million euros will be implemented immediately, the government said.

The strategy launches with a dedicated research and innovation programme designed to develop hornet control technologies, featuring competitive calls for scientific and beekeeping collaborations as well as international expert partnerships.

To help rebuild the sector, a new colony creation scheme will support affected beekeepers provided a portion of the new colonies consists of the native Maltese honeybee (Apis mellifera ruttneri). Additionally, commercial beekeepers who suffered losses in 2026 will receive targeted compensation per colony to mitigate reduced honey yields and promote stability for the upcoming season.

Long-term sustainability will be strengthened through a specialized conservation program for the Maltese honeybee, expanding queen breeding capacity to reduce reliance on imports. On a practical level, a national hotline and nest destruction service will be established, focusing heavily on the critical February-March window when founding queens emerge, alongside potential tracking technology to improve nest detection.

Public involvement will be encouraged through a nationwide awareness campaign promoting practical measures like responsible waste management, food scrap removal, and proper animal feed storage to minimize hornet attractants, the government said.

Finally, a national forum bringing together public entities, scientific institutions, and industry stakeholders will ensure ongoing coordination and evidence-based progress monitoring. Implementation begins immediately to protect local communities and secure the future of Maltese apiculture, the statement concluded.