EU resolution passed to help protect bees

In a resolution passed this month European Parliament are taking action to protect bees. The resolution was voted in by an overwhelming majority, with 534 votes in favour, 16 against and 92 abstentions highlighting an urgency and popularity to protect bees.

The resolution focuses on the Honey bee and calls for better access to new medicines to treat bee disease, monitoring of bee imports and a call for shared research and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Of particular interest to Buglife and the wild pollinators we strive to conserve is the call for stricter rules, sustainable use and better risk assessment methodology for pesticide use. Buglife’s report 'The Impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on bumblebees, Honey bees and other non-target invertebrates' produced in 2009 called for reliable and effective testing of pesticides, properly considering and setting standards for sub-lethal and chronic toxicity in the risk assessment of pesticides as well as a suspension of the use of this harmful group of pesticides.

During the European Parliament meeting Ban Eickhout, a Dutch Green MEP presented the house with an alternative resolution asking for a suspension on the use of harmful pesticides, which Buglife support and was backed by a quarter of the house.

Vicky Kindemba, Buglife Conservation Projects Manager said “Although neonicotinoids have not yet been suspended it is good to hear that the European Parliament is taking other forms of action to protect bees. The resolution calls to consider sub-lethal toxicity in the risk assessment of pesticides – something Buglife have been working towards for the last few years”.

The resolution also calls for the conservation of bee biodiversity including the promotion of green spaces along roads, verges of railway lines and in private gardens. Another step forward for wild pollinators is the call for pollen and nectar resources for bees and pollinating insects to be considered in land management.

Vicky Kindemba said “it is really important that needs of wild pollinators are considered as well as those of the honey bee. For the European Parliament to pass a resolution that encourages the planting of pollen and nectar rich plants is great news for invertebrates. A lot of Buglife’s conservation work strives to create wildflower rich habitats for pollinators so having encouragement to do this from the EU is great support for our work”.

The UK Government has been waiting for long term changes to the European pesticide approvals process, before making a decision to remove harmful pesticides such as neonicotinoids from the environment.

Vicky Kindemba said “This new EU resolution should encourage the UK Government to take urgent action to protect pollinators in the UK. We have already seen local authorise take action, passing a motion to make their council neonicotinoid fee. Buglife will be looking forward to the UK Government’s action to protect bees soon”.

To find out more about Buglife’s neonicotinoid report please click on the link. To find out more about Buglife’s work to create wildflower habitats for pollinators please click on this link.

http://www.buglife.org.uk/News/EU%2Bresolution%2Bpassed%2Bto%2Bhelp%2Bprotect%2Bbees