Pollinators Growing Issue for Congress, CropLife America

Beekeeper tending his hives in the Yemeni port of Mukalla in the Hadramut region. Photo Credit: Bill Lyons, World Bank Photo Library

Beekeeper tending his hives in the Yemeni port of Mukalla in the Hadramut region. Pollinator health continues to be a much-debated topic around the world. Photo Credit: Bill Lyons, World Bank Photo Library

CropLife America reiterated its stance on the importance of pollinators on Monday, the first day of National Pollinator Week, June 16-22.

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“As discussions around pollinator health continue at the regulatory level, it is critical that we focus on finding workable solutions,” said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CropLife America in a press release.

About 35% of all food crops in the world depend on pollinators, CropLife America said in the release urging greater attention to the issue of bees, insects, bats, and other animals that help move pollen from male plants so that it can fertilize female plants.

Congress heard testimony on April 29 to better understand the hazard posed to food security by an increase in Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), or a decrease in honey bee colonies, in recent years.

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Congressman Kurt Schrader (D-Oregon) said, “Speaking from my own experiences as a farmer, I am fully aware of the importance honey bees play in agriculture. Without them, we would be unable to grow many of the foods that we know and love. I have heard from farmers in Oregon and around the country who are very concerned by the reported 30 percent decline in honey bee populations over the past 20 years.”

Vroom further explained that the beekeeping and scientific communities have confirmed that the vicious and destructive Varroa mite is the most harmful pest affecting honey bees.

According to Vroom, the organization will welcome and support more research on Varroa mites and how to fight them using specialized crop protection products. While miticides that are responsibly applied in bee colonies offer a potential solution for controlling mites, harmful effects on honey bees are minimal, he explained.

CropLife America expressed its support for crop protection product stewardship best practices, greater pollinator habitats and pollinator education.

It announced its new membership status in the Honey Bee Health Coalition, a branch of Colorado- and D.C.-based environmental and health lobbying group The Keystone Center.

The week of June 16-22 has been designated as National Pollinator Week since 2007 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior in collaboration with the Pollinator Partnership to raise awareness through media campaigns and other events focusing on bees, beekeeping, honey, flowers, butterflies, gardening, nature appreciation and environmental responsibility sponsored by state and local partners.

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