Government launches Plan Bee to save pollinators

27-Jun-2013 - Last updated on 01-Jul-2013 at 08:34 GMT

Falling bee populations are to come under the spotlight in a bid to produce a national pollinator strategy

The government plans to launch an urgent review of falling bee populations, leading to a national pollinator strategy.

Lord de Mauley, minister at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, announced the plan at a Bee Summit today (June 28) organised by the pressure group Friends of the Earth (FoE).

“We must develop a better understanding of the factors that can harm these insects and the changes that government, other organisations and individuals can make to help,” said de Mauley.

With bee populations tumbling across Europe, the new review will study what factors are causing the decline and how they can be reversed.

‘National pollinator strategy’

The evidence gathered will be used to devise a “national pollinator strategy” in a bid to safeguard the insects that pollinate food crops across the continent.

A key part of the study will be an investigation into the role of controversial neonicotinoid chemicals in pesticides, which some have blamed for falling bee numbers.

Andy Atkins, FoE executive director, welcomed de Mauley’s announcement but pressed for action timetable for spring 2014.

He also called for measurable targets for reversing the loss of bees and other pollinators and for the plan to involve other government departments.

“We’re delighted that enormous pressure for a Bee Action Plan from scientists, businesses and the public has stung the government into action,” said Atkins.

“The minister’s plan of action must be in place when bees emerge from hibernation next spring. We can’t afford to gamble any longer with our food, countryside and economy.”

Dr Andrea Graham, NFU chief land management adviser, said proposals must be based on evidence if they were to deliver real benefits.

“The latest research shows that declines in the biodiversity of pollinating insects have slowed significantly since the 1990s, suggesting that investment in such measures to benefit bees may be paying off,” said Graham.

“In fact, for solitary bees, which make up around 90% of our UK wild bees species, the historic declines have reversed and turned into significant increases in diversity over the past 20 years. This is great news for our bees.”