Buglife, the only European charity that looks after all pollinators has launched ‘Get Britain Buzzing’ a 7 point manifesto to arrest the worrying decline in pollinator species across the UK and to enhance habitats, enabling a re-buzzing of the land.
One out of every three mouthfuls of our food depends on insect pollination. Pollination enables plants to fruit and set seed. Bees, hoverflies and other insects visiting flowers, create apples, raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, pears, almonds, elderberries, cherries, blackberries…. and the flowers in our gardens and countryside. It is estimated that 84% of EU crops (valued at £12.6 billion per year) and 80% of wildflowers rely on insect pollination.
It is becoming apparent that pollinator populations are fragile. Failure of the pollination system has already happened in parts of China and the United States. If current trends continue, we may not have enough wild pollinators for all the crops that our growing population will require.
Matt Shardlow, CEO of Buglife commented: “Our 7 point pollinator manifesto sets out the key principles and steps required to save and secure our populations of bees and other pollinators. If these measures are adopted by authorities, businesses and individuals then we will be able to pass on a rich, healthy and vibrant ecosystem to future generations.”
The 7 points are:
1. All pollinators valued for the service that they provide
2. Our pollinator populations properly monitored and understood
3. Pesticide use that harms pollinators reduced
4. Wildflower rich landscapes restored – B-Lines established
5. Declines in rare and threatened pollinator species reversed
6. Places for pollinators planned around people
7. Wild pollinators protected from imported parasites and diseases
