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New report warns of pesticide risk to bees

This week Friends of the Earth launched a new report – The Decline of England’s Bees – which supports the need for a National Bee Action Plan.  The research was carried out by the University of Reading and clearly explains why bees are so important, why they’re in trouble and what the Government should be doing to help them. 

Here are some amazing facts from the report:

  • We have 276 species of bee in the UK and they have special roles.
  • Tomatoes need large-bodied bumblebees to ‘buzz pollinate’ them – vibrating the flowers to release pollen.
  • Mason bees are best for apples.
  • The combined efforts of wild bees and managed bees are needed to get really good juicy strawberries.

Government action

Less amazing is the Government’s action to date to help our bees, especially as most of its efforts are focussed on just one of our 276 species – the honey bee.  The Government gets a bee minus.

Particularly worrying is that pesticide use rose by 6.5% between 2005 and 2010. And the effects of these chemicals on wild bees is not even checked before they’re approved.

What we’re asking the Government

We need the Government to do more to support bee-friendly farming and stop the use of the most damaging chemical pesticides; to protect important habitats for bees and to make sure that every opportunity is taken to include bee-friendly spaces in local planning proposals.

There’s no one simple solution – which is why Friends of the Earth Executive Director Andy Atkins has stressed the need for David Cameron to commit to a National Bee Action Plan.

 

What you can do:  You can help by asking David Cameron to draw up a National Bee Action Plan. 

 

Find out more:  Read the full report The Decline of England’s Bees or a summary briefing Reviving British Bees.

 

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