Written question asked by Lord Moynihan (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord De Mauley (Conservative) on Monday, 3 December 2012.

Bees

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the role played in the die-off of honey bees in 2012 of pesticides, parasites, disease and poor nutrition; and whether they will increase the research budget directed at combating disease and rejuvenating bee hives.[HL3644]

Answer

The Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit monitors colony losses as part of its Bee Health Programme. The main factor affecting honey bee health this year has been the exceptionally poor weather conditions. However, in season colony losses were 5% of colonies inspected, which is similar to last year.

Defra is currently providing £2.5 million over five years (from 2010-11) towards the £10 million Insect Pollinators Initiative which is being jointly funded with the Scottish Government, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Wellcome Trust. The initiative's projects are looking at different aspects of the decline of insect pollinators. Of the nine projects being funded, two specifically focus on honey bees and six will benefit both honey bees and bumblebees.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 741 c98WA; HL3644
Session: 2012-13
Subjects: Disease control Research Bees
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Bees

Secondary information

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