Bees at Westminster
Published Jun 21, 2008
Tuesday 17 June 2008
Dr Ian Gibson MP was successful in obtaining time for a 90 minute adjournment debate entitled ‘The Future of the UK Bee Industry’. Setting-out the problems facing bees, Ian Gibson highlighted the BBKA’s Research Programme which has been put forward to Defra with a modest request for £8 million invest over 5 years. David Heath MP emphasized the importance of bee pollination to the Cider Industry and Bob Maris MP urged the Minister to find the funds, urgently, saying that the Government ought to be investing £4 million per annum! Several informed interventions from John Penrose (Con - Weston super Mare) who is a beekeeper helped support the case. Bill Wiggin MP, Shadow Minister for Agriculture gave a well considered speech exposing the poor financing of bee research over recent years and the losses to the research base. What they said:
“It is vital that every country maximises its potential to produce home-grown food, because that is becoming the big challenge, or at least one of the big challenges, for us in the agricultural movement in this country. Honey bees have never been more important for mankind than today”. Ian Gibson (Lab – Norwich North)
“We need a step change in investment in the investigation of bee disease if we are to stem a worldwide phenomenon that is lapping at our doorstep and has the potential to become a crisis, both for the insect population and in economic terms” David Heath (LibDem – Somerton & Frome)
“The British Beekeepers Association’s suggested figure of £8 million over five years is incredibly modest—that is no criticism of the BBKA. It is not a ridiculous amount such as politicians often come across when people suggest amounts because they believe passionately in a pet project. It is a sensible amount and, if anything, is low. I urge the Minister to consider it carefully.” Bob Marris (Lab - Wolverhampton SW)
“I pay tribute to the British Beekeepers Association, which has done much to raise the profile of beekeeping and to inform us about the importance of bees to our country. It has put a tremendous amount of effort into its campaign, and its commitment to bee health is keeping the issue high on the political agenda.” Bill Wiggin (Con - Leominster)
The Minister, Jonathan Shaw in closing, attempted to parry the stinging criticism of Government inaction by sticking to the prospect of the Bee Health Strategy. No vote was taken of course but it looked like the Minister was in a minority of one. Reason must surely prevail.
Go to Hansard for the full transcript.
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