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Scottish honey bee could disappear forever warns Rennie
November 20, 2008 3:00 PM
MP Willie Rennie has warned the Government that Scotland could lose the British honey bee forever unless they increase funding for bee health research immediately.
Since the winter of 2007, there has been a 30% reduction in the British honey bee population largely due to the Varroa destructor mite, which has been destroying wild bee colonies across the country. Yet despite the bee contributing over £165million per year through cross pollination to agricultural output, funding for bee health research remains lower in real terms now than in 2001.
Mr Rennie, whose father and grandfather were both beekeepers, has raised concerns that Scottish beekeepers, who account for 25% of the UK's commercial hives, are suffering disproportionately from the outbreak of the Varroa mite. Beekeepers in Scotland have found their hives have become increasingly resistant to the chemical treatment, whilst the current alternative is ineffective at Scotland's seasonal temperatures.
Commenting Mr Rennie said:
"What many people don't know is that bees are the unsung hero of our agricultural economy and aren't just responsible for producing honey. The Western honey bee plays a vital role within the planet's eco-system, pollinating 70% of the food that we eat and contributing over £165 million per year to agricultural output.
"Scottish beehives make up a significant part of the UK's commercial hive. Yet despite their importance, Scotland only has four bee inspectors, which is responsible for the limited diagnostic and follow-up the service that we have at the moment. As a result, Scotland simply doesn't have the range of treatments for the Varroa mite that are available in England.
"The problems facing Scottish beekeepers are unique to country, and the current level of funding set at paltry £200,000 just goes to show how dangerously out of touch DEFRA is with the problem. Put simply, if the bee disappears then within four years man will follow. Fewer bees means less pollination, a decline in plant life and therefore a huge blow to animal life."
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