Buglife today hosted a reception in the House of Commons about the future of our pollinators.
The reception, sponsored by Waitrose and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Biodiversity, was timed to lobby politicians just two days ahead of the Government consultation on a pollinator strategy for England’s closure. 
The event chaired by the Guardian’s Alison Benjamin, featured key note addresses from Cambridge pollinator academic Dr Lynn Dicks and Buglife Chief Executive Matt Shardlow, who introduced Buglife’s Pollinator Manifesto.
Close to 80 guests attended including a around 20 politicians.
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
Following the talks, those attending went on a short bee walk in an adjacent park to see which pollinators could be found close to the Palace of Westminster.
