Government must ban bee-harming pesticides as new research shows risk to bumblebee extinction
The government must act to permanently ban bee-harming pesticides says Friends of the Earth as new research from Royal Holloway University released today (14 August) suggests that neonicotinoid pesticides are a risk to bumblebee extinction. The research showed that queen bees exposed to neonicotinoid pesticides were 26% less likely to be able to start a […]
Making room for pollinators need not harm farm productivity
Farmers attending two recent Campaign for the Farmed Environment events heard from experts that supporting pollinators and crop pest predators can help improve crop yields, delivering a win-win for farming and wildlife. The two events, held in Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire, were in partnership with Kings and Syngenta. Speakers shared their research as well as guidance […]
Bee groups embrace new EU partnership: trust is the key
Beekeepers, scientists, policy-makers and other relevant parties are to set up a European bee partnership that could transform the way bee health is assessed in the EU. The pledge was the main outcome of a major scientific meeting held in Brussels yesterday entitled “Towards a European Bee Partnership” that was attended by more than 120 […]
Five simple steps to take to help our bees
Planting bee-friendly flowers and cutting grass less often are among five simple steps the public are being urged to take to help our precious pollinators thrive—as, despite public concern about bee populations, more than half of those asked say they have not taken any pollinator-friendly actions in the last year. In a recent YouGov poll, […]
Honeybees’ buzzing can shed light on queen’s fertility, study finds
The buzzing of bees can provide beekeepers with crucial information about the fertility of the queen in the hive, according to a new study which could play a key role in helping to preserve honeybee colonies. Research led by scientists at Nottingham Trent University focused on developing a way to remotely monitor the ‘brood’, […]
Environment Secretary collects first ‘Whitehall Honey’ during National Honey Week
The first jars of honey produced from Defra’s beehives have been collected by Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss together with a beekeeping apprentice today. Defra’s first yield of 6.5 kilograms have been bottled with the label ‘Whitehall Honey’ – just in time for National Honey Week. Defra installed beehives on the roof of its building in […]
Friends of the Earth takes first legal steps on pesticides decision
Friends of the Earth has taken the first formal legal steps over the Government’s decision to permit the use of bee-harming pesticides in England despite a Europe-wide ban. The group has written a judicial review pre-action letter to Secretary of State for the Environment, Liz Truss MP, as the prospective defendant. The action has been […]
Wildflower attraction boosts pollinator numbers
Farmers are making a huge contribution to increasing pollinator populations with new Operation Pollinator seed mixtures for field margins and pollinator habitats. The new areas established are already delivering a greater diversity of wildflower food sources, and supporting important pollinating insects. With Pollinator Awareness Week events occurring across Europe this week (13-19 July 2015), leading […]
Bayer loses libel action with regards to pesticide harm claims
German chemical giant Bayer has failed in its attempt to sue Friends of the Earth Germany over its claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees. Responding to yesterday’s ruling by a judge in Dusseldorf that the environmental group had a right to voice its concerns, Friends of the Earth (England, Wales and […]