TRIUMPH AS DAVID HEATH SECURES MINISTERS INTEREST IN BEES
1.33.09pm GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009
MP for Somerton and Frome, David Heath spoke yesterday on the decline of bees in the UK. He did so in an hour and a half long debate on Agriculture in the South West. The debate, which was secured by Mr Heath, was attended by The Minister in State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Jane Kennedy.
The declining number of honey bees has in part been attributed to diseases such as the Varroa destructor mite. As a result domestic supplies of honey are dwindling. The government have so far failed to commit to the alternative treatments used throughout Europe.
Mr Heath has taken a great interest in the decline of the bee population in the UK, and has consistently brought the issue to the fore. As a result of Mr Heaths probing, the Minister asserted that her Department should be in a position to release a statement soon. She added that "We need to be concerned about all pollinators, not just bees."
David Heath said:
"I am pleased to have secured the ministers interest in this matter and hope that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will appreciate the scale of the situation.
Last year I visited beekeepers in Somerset who are concerned about the year on year fall in the number of Honey bees. It is clear that without intervention honeybee numbers will continue to fall, and the farming community will be left in a dire situation. Quite simply, the knock-on effect would be catastrophic."
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