Making A Buzz at Westminster
Published Apr 21, 2008
NEWS RELEASE 21 April 2008
MAKING A BUZZ AT WESTMINSTER
British Beekeepers’ Association Lobbies MPs and Lords to Save Nation’s Honey Bees Tuesday 22 April
Senior representatives of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) will meet MPs and members of the Lords to stress the importance of honey bees to the UK’s food supply.
Pollination by honey bees is essential for producing one third of the home-grown foods in farms, on allotments and in back gardens.
Lord Rooker, Minister of State for Sustainable Farming, Food and Animal Welfare, has already warned that the nation’s honey bees could be wiped out without further research into bee health but has said the government can not afford the £8million over five years, that the BBKA is petitioning for. Over the same period honey bee pollination, which currently contributes £165 million p.a. to the agricultural economy, will contribute more than £800million.
We will keep our bees only if the government will help us to keep them healthy.
Tim Lovett, President of the BBKA, said: “We will keep our bees only if the government will help us to keep them healthy.”
“Does the government want the nation to go without honey on their toast, not have home-grown strawberries to go with cream, and even put their own crusade for the public to eat five portions of fresh fruit and vegetables at risk? Food production is now an important issue and bees are central to it.”
“We note that the US government immediately invested $80 million into research on the condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which has devastated their bee colonies, affecting pollination of the apple orchards, the almond and orange crops.
“CCD has not yet crossed the Channel from Europe, but we are urging the Government that it needs to be prepared should this happen. The central plank in that preparation is a better understanding of diseases and that needs research.
“The government spends just £200,000 out of a budget of £1.5 million for bee health on research. Immediate action needs to be taken to avoid this economic and ecological disaster in the making.”
The BBKA has launched The Bee Health Research Funding Campaign, urging the public to write to and petition MPs and Ministers. Further details on www.britishbee.org.uk/
Ends
For further information, interview and photo requests please contact Christine Gray Press Officer BBKA Tel: 01462 450707/07891 000207
Comments
3 comment(s) on this page. Add your own comment below.
It is high time that central government recognised the importance of bees to the economy and took steps to protect the enormous added value that amateur beekeepers provide through the pollination or horticultural and agricultural crops. The Government should provide the funds that the BBKA believes are required for bee research on a continuing basis in order to avoid national and/or global calamities brought about by declining populations of bees.
The catastrophe that is bound to occur should we loose the honey bee will not only devaste a large proportion of our own food supply but also that of all species of wildlife in this country at the higher end of the food chain. The effects will thunder throughout the whole environment. It is believed by many, erroneously, that own lost food production can replaced by imports from abroad. Surely however, this is a global issue and imports will simply not be available from elsewhere. It will all be gone. Wildlife of course, does not have this option available anyway and much will simply head for extinction faster than is already sadly apparent. It is essential therefore, that our campaigning effort is extended to include every respected national body having an interest in environmental issues generally. The support of any such body on this issue will be vital.
The importance of honey bees to our economy and well-being can't be overstated. Our honey bee stocks are seriously under threat from current agricultural practices, parasitic infestations and viruses brought to the UK by the increasing globalisation of our world. It is incumbent on the government to support bee keepers, as they do farmers in other sectors of the economy. Research is a crucial requirement if we are to have the veterinary treatments and evidence based advice necessary to counter these threats. Beekeepers and their Associations are more than ready to do what is necessary. DEFRA and WAG must provide the leadership and funding to underpin this neglected but essential part of our agricultural and environmental heritage.