Welsh government to develop bee action plan

New plans by the Welsh Government announced today (Monday 23 July 2012) to develop an action plan to protect declining bee numbers and other pollinators have been welcomed by Friends of the Earth.

Bee Action Plans to protect the 250 plus species of bee in the UK

The environment charity is urging David Cameron to introduce a national Bee Action Plan too.

The move follows the launch of The Bee Cause campaign by Friends of the Earth earlier this year which called for the Welsh and UK Governments to develop Bee Action Plans to protect the 250 plus species of bee in the UK.

Research by the University of Reading for Friends of the Earth earlier this year revealed it would cost at least £1.8 billion a year to replace the free service bees provided by pollinating our crops with pollination by hand.

Bees in the UK are declining at a worrying rate. Managed honey bee colonies fell by over 50 per cent between 1985 and 2005 and solitary bees have declined by more than half in the areas studied.

Friends of the Earth Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:

“This is great news for Wales which will hopefully push David Cameron into taking action by introducing a UK Bee Action Plan too.

“Our bees are declining fast and urgently need protecting – without them the UK would have to spend millions of pounds hand-pollinating many of our favourite fruit and vegetables.

“The Government must protect our environment, farmers and consumers and stand up for British bees.”

Friends of the Earth Cymru campaigner Bleddyn Lake said:

“We’re delighted John Griffiths, Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development, has acted so quickly on our call to help protect bees and other pollinators, which are in steep decline throughout the country.

“Thousands of people have already backed our campaign, The Bee Cause, which calls for action on habitat loss and pesticide-use.

“Farmers, councils and communities need help and advice to protect these essential pollinators – it would cost the UK at least £1.8 billion a year to replace bee services with hand pollination.

“It’s fantastic that Wales is taking the lead with action to safeguard our environment and save the economy millions of pounds – the rest of the UK must follow quickly.”