A direct link between the decline of wild bees and neonicotinoid pesticides has been demonstrated by new research.
The study led by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology looked at 62 species of wild bee in England. It found their decline was three times stronger on average among species that regularly feed on oilseed rape, a crop that is regularly treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, than those wild bees that feed on a wider range of plants.
The Trust’s Head of Policy Dr Maggie Keegan commented: “This new research adds to a growing body of science that shows that neonicotinoids harm bees and are a major factor in their decline.
“The Scottish Government will publish their Scottish Pollinator Strategy soon. This should give a clear steer that using these chemicals is harmful to bees and their use in agriculture should be phased out.
“The Trust also want the Government to provide more funding for research into ways to control pests that help farmers grow food without harming nature.
“Crop pollination by bees and other insects is worth at least £43 million to Scotland’s economy every year. It simply doesn’t make sense to continue to use chemicals that cause are causing a decline in these same pollinators.”