Scientists back our Bee Action Plan in today's Telegraph26 June 2013
A group of influential scientists have written to the Government backing our Bee Action Plan - and going even further.
The letter fills the whole of page 17 in today's Daily Telegraph. The scientists outline exactly what the Government must do to stop drastic decline in the UK's bee populations.
LETTER
The time for a Bee Action Plan is now.
There is growing agreement on the solutions needed to reverse the decline in bees and other insect pollinators and an increasing momentum from scientists, businesses, politicians and the public to act.
Any further delay could risk pushing more species over the edge.
We call on the Government to urgently implement a truly comprehensive Bee Action Plan.
An effective Bee Action Plan must be:
Additional
Create a Government-wide strategy - beyond current policies for bees and biodiversity - and build on existing research and civil society action.
Comprehensive
Cover all causes of bee decline and all bee species and other insect pollinators.
Targeted
Be specific with targeted actions for bees and other insect pollinators - including protection and expansion of particular habitats and help for threatened wild bee species.
Inclusive
Draw on expertise and experience from outside Government and ensure full involvement of academia, farmers, local councils, NGOs, businesses and others.
On Schedule
Include dates and where appropriate quantifiable targets for actions - and aim to deliver major results by 2020 in line with Nagoya Biodiversity Protocol.
National
Co-ordinated approach across the UK and with full collaboration of devolved governments and local authorities.
Standard setting
Leading the way internationally in developing action for pollinators.
SIGNED
Dr Katherine Baldock
Urban Pollinators Project
School of Biological Sciences
University of Bristol
Dr John Bryden
School of Biological Sciences
Royal Holloway University of London
Dr Christopher Connolly
Reader in Neurobiology
University of Dundee
Dr Lynn Dicks
NERC Research Fellow
University of Cambridge
Professor Dave Goulson
Professor of Biology (Evolution, Behaviour and Environment)
University of Sussex
Professor Graham Stone
Chair in Ecology
Institute of Evolutionary Biology
Professor William Kunin
School of Biology
University of Leeds
Dr. Robert J. Paxton
School of Biological Sciences
Queen's University Belfast
Dr Eugene Ryabov
School of Life Sciences
University of Warwick
Professor Simon Potts
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
University of Reading
Dr Adam Vanbergen
Insect Pollinators Initiative & NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Please sign the petition before Friday
We have until Friday to make sure that the Bee Minister announces a strong Bee Action Plan. Please sign the petition now and share on Facebook.
© Friends of the Earth
