Hampshire MPs help create a buzz to save bees (From Daily Echo)
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Hampshire MPs help create a buzz to save bees
1:10pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in News
Hampshire MPs help create a buzz to save bees
HAMPSHIRE MPs have joined a campaign to fight for the future of the bumble bee.
Alan Whitehead, Caroline Nokes and Chris Huhne signed a letter to the Government drawing attention to the “alarming decline” in bee numbers.
The fall has led to fears about the impact it could have on the environment, farmers and the economy because of bees’ vital position in the ecosystem.
Friends of the Earth, which is orchestrating the campaign, is calling for a National Bee Action Plan to save the threatened species.
The lobby group said that if bees disappeared it would cost British farmers at least £1.8 billion a year to pollinate their crops by hand and this would cause food prices to rocket.
Dr Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, said: “I am extremely concerned about the rapid decline in British Bees. They’re not only an iconic part of our countryside, they play a vital role in pollinating our crops and flowers too.
“It’s great news that Friends of the Earth is creating a buzz about these crucially important insects – I’ll be doing all I can to help protect our bees in 2013.”
The action plan would ensure bees have enough plants to feed on and nest in and work with farmers to reduce the use of chemicals that are killing the insects.
There are more than 250 species of bee in Britain.
Comments(3)
LeezBeez
says...
11:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13
The bees they are referring to in the article are the (approximately) 250 species of British native Solitary Bees, which are the most common bees in our gardens.
There are only about 19 species of Bumblebees in the UK.
(The numbers I have given are approximate as no one knows how many species have already been lost).
We give talks, run stalls and give advice to Companies at many events & venues to show people (especially children) how easy it is to help these non-aggressive bees by growing 'bee friendly' plants and making simple nesting areas.
I have been trying to help our Solitary Nesting bees for over 50 years.
All bees need our help... and we need their help to pollinate our food crops whether grown in a field, allotment or garden.
LeezBeez
says...
12:03am Sat 26 Jan 13
I cannot see how else to contact you to point out the problem with this confusing article.
The reporter starts out saying it is about Bumblebees (of which there are only about 19 different species of now!).
It is the British Native Solitary bees that have about 250 species in the British Isles - a lot of them mimic honey bees, flies and even the striking yellow & black markings normally associated with wasps.
bazzeroz says...
3:49pm Wed 23 Jan 13