Bees vs Pesticides
Share
Image: Lisa Fotios
Bees, the tireless workers of our planet, are the unsung heroes of our ecosystems. They are the silent partners in much of the food produced today with around 9/10 of crops benefiting from bee & other insect pollination. Their importance goes beyond making the sweet honey or the gorgeous beeswax we know & love. They support biodiversity, pollination & other wildlife.
Despite this, we know that the bee population in the UK has been declining. We have lost 13 species of bees in the UK since 1900, while 35 species of bee are currently under threat of extinction. This decline is predominantly due to habitat loss e.g. farming practices, pesticides and more. In fact, shocking findings have shown that a single teaspoon of neonics (a toxic and damaging group of pesticides) can kill 1.25 billion honeybees.
Government advisers, researchers and executives have raised concern about this and stated that they do not support the authorisation of these pesticides. Regardless, the government has yet again granted the use of an EU banned neonic on sugar beet crops. With the evidence we currently know, bees are sure to be significantly impacted. Therefore, we need to act now.
Check out the ways you can take action & change the narrative on the Wildlife trusts website.
“The plight of the bees is a call to action for all of us. Let’s do our part to ensure these invaluable creatures continue to support life on our planet.” 🐝
