Bees are important states MEP

‘Bees are an important barometer of the health of our ecosystem and the situation of our habitats and species across the EU is worrying,’ Mairead McGuinness MEP and first Vice-President of the European Parliament told a Forum on Biodiversity organised by Apimondia – the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations – on the topic of Biodiversity and Agriculture in Drogheda recently.

“We tend to take bees and their vital work of pollination for granted,” Ms. McGuinness said. “In Europe 84pc of cultivated plants are dependent on insect pollination. And worldwide 70pc of the plant species used for food depend on this kind of pollination.

“Approximately one third of all the food we eat depends on insects for pollination. The actual economic value of the work done by bees has been measured at an incredible € 153 billion worldwide. Simply put, without bees there would not be so many different fruits and vegetables.”

She said a rich and healthy biodiversity is needed for bees and the situation in the EU overall is not good. “Many insect pollinator populations are in decline because of changing environmental conditions such as habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and pesticide use.

“I urge greater harmony on the way forward towards a more sustainable future for all our citizens, including addressing concerns about biodiversity,” the MEP said.