Brussels, 21/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 20 November in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted (458 votes to 1 and 5 abstentions) a resolution on the current crisis in the beekeeping sector. It calls on the Commission to immediately step up further research into the link between the decimation of the bee population and pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the creation of protected areas where bees can gather pollen and nectar, and the implementation of adequate veterinary means to combat parasites and diseases in bee colonies.
The strong decline in pollen and nectar resources due to the extension of agriculture and the use of certain phytosanitary products, as well as the great vulnerability to parasites and diseases such as varroa caused by dietary imbalance means that the bee populations of European hives has greatly diminished in recent years, thus causing a serious threat to apicultural production and to pollination that is essential for many varieties of fruit and vegetables.
The resolution adopted by the European Parliament, presented by Neil Parish (EPP-ED, UK) on behalf of the EP committee on agriculture, calls on the European Commission to: - promote the necessary measures to limit the risk of insufficient pollination; - provide financial aid for beekeepers in difficulty because of the fact that their bees are disappearing; - and invite all member states to give immediate assistance to the beekeeping sector.
Protected areas for pollen gathering. The EP calls for measures to be set in place to encourage the creation of “ecological compensation areas” or “apicultural set-aside areas” especially in large areas of arable cultivation. Such areas could be created in those parts of fields which are difficult to cultivate, where plants such as phacelia, borage, charlock and wild white clover could be grown, providing rich sources of nectar in areas where bees gather.
Pesticides and GMOs. MEPs call on the Commission to undertake research into the link which exists between bee mortality and the use of pesticides such as thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin and fipronil, to coordinate information pertaining to this situation presently available in each member state, and to take “appropriate measures” where necessary. They call on the Commission and on EU member states to duly take into account the impact that decisions relating to the cultivation of genetically modified crops will have on beekeeping within the EU.
Combating bee diseases. The EP believes that the Commission should immediately step up further research into the parasites and diseases, as well as other potential causes such as erosion of genetic diversity and cultivation of genetically modified crops, decimating the bee population, while making additional budgetary resources available for this research. MEPs say the fight against bee diseases should be an integral part of European veterinary policy. They also call for the country of origin to be stated on honey labels and for a requirement to be introduced so that imported honey is analysed to detect the possible presence of American foulbrood bacteria. (L.C./transl.jl)