HUHNE BACKS HAMPSHIRE BEE-KEEPERS TO STOP THREAT

10.10.00am GMT Fri 7th Nov 2008

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne today backed calls by Hampshire bee-keepers for government research into the collapse of bee colonies which threatens our flowers and crops.

Mr Huhne was lobbied in parliament by Hedge End bee-keeper Chris Walters and chairman of the Hampshire bee-keepers Brian Herbert (pictured here) who spelled out their worries about the cut of about a third in the number of Hampshire bee colonies.

"We are down about 1,000 bee colonies across Hampshire alone this year" said Mr Huhne "and we urgently need to understand what is going on if we are to stop a threat to our flowers and crops next summer. I am delighted that the petition is now going so well, and that there is so much solid support for the bee-keepers' cause.

"Bee pollination is a crucial part of the natural cycle of the seasons, and Einstein estimated that human beings would last only four years without bees. At present, the Government is spending just £200,000 a year on what could be a terrible threat to our natural environment and our well-being."

There are several rival explanations of the colony collapse, including a revival of the Varroa mite due to increasing resistance to pesticides, the impact of GM crops, global warming and other bee diseases.

Mr Huhne said that he would continue to press the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to increase bee research, which had been cut back two years ago as a result of over-runs in other agricultural spending.