Hope for Bees

Bees and other insects pollinate threequarters of all crops and are vital to our food chain. But their numbers have plummeted in many countries in recent years, and this has been partly blamed on pesticides.

Five years ago, the EU severely restricted the use of three neonicotinoid compounds widely used in pesticides. From this year, restrictions will be even tighter, with the three compounds banned completely following an investigation that found the chemicals contaminate soil and water, and can appear in wild flowers. “Banning these toxic pesticides is a beacon of hope for bees,” says beecampaigner Antonia Staats.