May 15, 2015

With bloom in site, media focuses on honeybee populations

Honeybees are buzzing their way into mainstream media. Have you noticed?

Michigan State University, the House Committee on Agriculture and the Washington Post have joined in the conversation.

Here’s what they had to say:

Michigan State University Extension researcher Julianna Wilson reminds growers to keep bee safety in mind during orchard bloom.

Wilson wrote, “Protecting pollinators against pesticide exposure by paying attention to when bees are active is one of the most important steps tree fruit growers can take as part of a sound integrated pest management plan.” The complete story is available here.

According to the Washington Post, researchers at the Bee Informed Partnership, affiliated with the Department of Agriculture, announced more than 40 percent of honeybee hives died this past year, as the Associated Press reported. The number is preliminary, but is the second-highest annual loss recorded to date. More details about the decline are available here.

On May 13, Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Illinois, chairman of the Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Subcommittee, held a public hearing to review the federal response to the threat to pollinator health.

“Federal coordination and communication is vital in establishing rules and regulations impacting pollinator health and farmers’ abilities to produce food,” Davis said. “Pollinators play an important role in agriculture production, and it is essential that agencies work together to promote their health without overburdening farmers and politicizing the issue.” A summary from the meeting can be read here.

Stay up-to-date on honeybee-related news by checking our website, www.fruitgrowersnews.com.