Bid to protect honeybees
PUBLISHED: 19:57 10 April 2008 | UPDATED: 08:24 28 March 2014
APRIL 10, 2008: Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government has launched
a joint consultation on a strategy to improve and protect honey bee
health.
beekeepers given their important role as custodians of honey bees. It
sets out a plan for the future direction of work aimed at sustaining
the health of honey bees and beekeeping in England and Wales for the
next decade. It recognises the important roles of various stakeholders
in implementing the strategy – Government, individual beekeepers, their
associations and others, such as honey importers.
Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming and Animal Health, Jeff Rooker said:
“Honey bees are facing serious threats from a growing
number of pests and diseases. It is vital that we do all we can to
respond effectively to these threats and to sustain honey bees and
beekeeping for today and for future generations.
“The strategy provides direction and focus for
Government, beekeepers and other stakeholders working together over the
next decade on sustaining honey bees. We are grateful for the
constructive engagement with beekeeping associations over recent months
to develop the strategy. Once the final strategy is published after
consultation, we will need to work with the associations on a suitable
implementation plan.”
The consultation will run until August 29, 2008.