In the latest beekeeping news…. LITTLEROCK, WASHINGTON STATE, USA – a new batch of trainee beekeepers are learning the ropes as part of a Sustainability in Prisons Project. The idea is to equip inmates with new skills, opportunities and aspirations in preparation for a return to society. Beekeeping really is a lesson in life!
In other developments, according to a recent EU commission study, neonicotinoids have been found to be even more damaging for the bee population than originally thought, Greenpeace’s agriculture policy director, Marco Contiero has said:
“The EU commission should expand the EU-wide ban to cover all uses of neonicotinoids on all crops, and end the self-service approach to derogations. Viable non-chemical alternatives exist and the EU should encourage farmers to use them.”
Use of neonicotinoids by farmers has been linked to dramatic declines in bee populations. The EU’s recommendations do however allow exemptions to the ban under certain circumstances, which unfortunately the UK government has invoked to relax restrictions.