Defra has unveiled new plans to help beekeepers protect their hives from pests and diseases to reduce bee population losses. Around the world, pollinating insects such as bees are experiencing population declines.

Although the factors contributing to the declines are believed to be manifold, the government has come under fire for its failure to act on a growing weight of evidence that suggests certain agricultural chemicals may be exacerbating the problem, in spite of an acknowledgement from EFSA that current EU risk assessment testing measures are flawed.

Nevertheless, The Westminster government maintains that not enough evidence is currently available to prohibit use or increase regulation of certain neonicotinoid pesticides. On announcing increased support for pest management on Thursday (10th January), government sided with the agrochemical industry in proclaiming, "The potentially devastating Varroa mite [is] considered the single greatest problem for beekeepers."

Last year, a government committee launched an inquiry into Defra's decision not to change its policy on agricultural chemicals, despite the increasing weight of evidence that certain pesticides may be doing harm to essential pollinators. The committee heard evidence from agrochemical companies; representatives suggested the decline in habitats as a result of developments, a changing climate and disease were principally responsible for the bees' decline.

They were also told by the director of insect charity Buglife that 30 peer-reviewed studies published in the past three years have linked controversial pesticides with damaging effects on bees.

Government proposals to support beekeepers

Defra and the Welsh Government this week outlined proposals aimed at helping beekeepers to identify and manage pests such as the Varroa mite. The announcement was made following a consultation with amateur and commercial beekeepers on how best to provide more support to improve honey bee health.

The proposals, which include measures such as reductions in inspections for keepers performing well, marry with the government's laissez faire 'red tape challenge'. They are:

• Increased effort to tackle the management of the Varroa mite, including improved guidance for bee keepers from the National Bee Unit (NBU), and a new enhanced rolling training programme run by the NBU and beekeeping associations for all bee keepers;
• Rewarding bee farmers demonstrating good management of their hives, including reducing the number of official inspections they require from Government;
• Renewed emphasis on increasing our resilience and preparedness for exotic threats, such as the small hive beetle;
• A new welfare code to remind beekeepers of their responsibility to their bees.

Commenting on the new proposals, animal welfare minister, Lord de Mauley, said on Thursday, "Honeybees are an iconic species which are vital to the environment and I want to make sure that we do all we can to safeguard their future. But these bees are susceptible to pests and diseases and need to be cared for properly to aid their long-term survival."

Late last month, an investigative committee of MEPs stated that, "A widespread conclusion of different authors is that neonicotinoids can contribute to lethality even at low doses by making bee colonies more vulnerable to other disruptive factors. Recent scientific findings are urging for an update of the risk assessment of all neonicotinoid insecticides approved at European level and their effects on bees."

Organisations ranging from the STEP project, a research initiative backed by the European Commission and comprised of scientists from across Europe, to Friends of the Earth have called for immediate action and a reform of policy to halt the decline in insect pollinators. To date, Italy, France and Germany have moved to ban or drastically restrict use of certain neonicotinoids.