Responding to new research from the University of Southampton released today (Thursday 3 October 2013), which has found that diesel pollution makes it harder for honeybees to find flowers, Friends of the Earth Nature Campaigner Paul de Zylva, said:
 
“Bees are highly sophisticated creatures facing many threats including air pollution – this research is yet more evidence that they are under attack from all sides.
 
“The Government must draft a Bee Action Plan that combats the many threats that bees face.” 
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors
 
1.    Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause campaign has succeeded in persuading the Government to adopt a comprehensive National Bee Action Plan. In June 2013, ‘Bees Minister’ Lord De Mauley, announced the Government’s intention to draw up a National Pollinator Strategy. 

2.    The Bee Cause now aims to ensure the Strategy is ambitious enough to reverse bee decline in the UK.

3.    UK bee populations are declining at an alarming rate with a big drop in managed honey-bee colonies and solitary bees, as well as two species of bumblebee becoming extinct.

4.    Without bees, food prices will rise – pollination of UK crops by bees and other insects is worth over £500 million a year. It would cost the UK farming industry £1.8 billion to pollinate their crops by hand.