The Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today announced a £4.3 million bee health funding increase. The news comes after a debate in Parliament yesterday where Somerton and Frome MP, David Heath, called upon the Minister to take the decline in the British Honeybee population seriously and to do something about it as a matter of urgency.
The government proposals were announced by the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, and include £2.3 million for the National Bee Unit over the next two years and £400,000 towards bee health research every year for the next five years.
"I am absolutely delighted to have won my campaign. I have been raising this issue consistently with ministers, but have until now received less than satisfactory answers. I am pleased to see that the government has committed to spending on this issue over the next five years."
