Welsh Action Plan for Pollinators launched1 August 2013
The Welsh Government has launched its finalised Action Plan for Pollinators. The Plan is a comprehensive strategy to help save bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects in Wales.
Its launch is a huge victory for The Bee Cause campaign. The Plan is a direct result of meetings between Friends of the Earth Cymru and government officials and Ministers.
Helping bees
Steps to save pollinators contained in the Plan include:
- Advice and support to farmers
- Work with land managers, including local authorities
- Help and funding for community-led projects
It also sets up a task force that will ensure the Plan is implemented.
Welsh bee populations have been declining for years - this initiative is an important milestone in their recovery.
Ministers must now follow through on their promise to work with local authorities, set up an urban pollinator's initiative and help Welsh farmers play their part in safeguarding our bees.
We're delighted that Wales is showing leadership on this issue - we now need a decent Bee Action Plan for the rest of the UK.
Friends of the Earth Cymru campaigner Bleddyn Lake
Beyond Wales
The news is good for bees outside Wales too.
In June, UK Environment Minister Lord de Mauley announced that the Government would develop a National Pollinator Strategy for England.
Work on the Strategy has already begun and it should be ready by Spring 2014.
Help us keep up the pressure
But Government timescales can sometimes slip. We need to make sure the Government keeps focussed on the need for urgent action to save bees and other pollinators.
Please sign our petition asking David Cameron to make sure strong measures to help pollinators are in place by next spring.
© Friends of the Earth
