Bees

The humble honey bee is in a state of crisis -and if the honey bee is in crisis, so too are we, because we are so dependent on honey bees for pollination, horticulture, and food security.

According to the International Beekeepers Organisation most developed countries in the world are experiencing annual bee mortality rates of 30 to 40%; many times the normal bee losses of 5 to 10%.

Most experts agree there are many factors causing these mass bee die-offs; the spread of varroa mite; new viruses and pathogens that are migrating around the world, as a result of our growing international trade; monoculture and industrial agriculture; feeding bees an abnormal diet of corn sugar; artificially inseminating Queens and keeping their hives in cages.

And the fact that we are using pesticides that are highly toxic to bees -and in particular a new generation of pesticides called Neonicotinoids, which attack the central nervous system of bees, and are systemic, which means they are present in every part of a plant which is treated with them, including the pollen and nectar.

In a survey published last year, 98% of hives were contaminated with pesticides; and 121 different pesticides and metabolites were found in bees and their hives.

These insecticides are widely used in New Zealand in Gaucho and Poncho to coat seeds such as grass and clover seeds and corn. Many farmers have no idea they are using seeds that are highly toxic to bees.

As an agricultural and horticultural nation, we depend on bees for pollination, and a 30-40% loss would be disastrous for our economy - we need a precautionary strategy and action to stop the decline.