Welsh draft action plan for bees and other pollinators welcomed

09 April 2013

Commenting on the draft Action Plan for Pollinators for Wales, published today (Tuesday 9 April 2013) by the Welsh Government, Friends of the Earth Cymru Director Gareth Clubb, said:

"The Welsh Government's draft pollinator action plan - in response to our Bee Cause campaign - is very welcome and shows real leadership.

"However, the power to ban pesticides lies in Westminster, not Cardiff Bay, and the Welsh Government must discuss devolution of these controls immediately if we are to have decent protection for Welsh bees.

"With wild bees in particular struggling across Britain, it's essential that David Cameron's Government acts too.

"The UK administration must follow the forward-thinking Welsh Government's lead with a Bee Action Plan - and support restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides linked to bee decline."

Notes to editors

1. Welsh Government: Draft Action Plan for pollinators.
2. The Welsh Government announced their intention to develop a Pollinator Action Plan for Wales at an event with Friends of the Earth in July 2012.
3. Friends of the Earth's The Bee Cause campaign is supporting individuals to make change in their gardens and communities to help bees, and asking the Prime Minister to commit to a National Bee Action Plan. To support the call to David Cameron and find out what else you can do to help bees, visit The Bee Cause webpage www.foe.co.uk/bees.
4. For more than 40 years we've seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand - and it's been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we've secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth - see things differently. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.

For further information, please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577