MP Causes a Buzz at Westminster

Westminster was abuzz when the All Party Parliamentary Group for Bees held its first Parliamentary Bee Fair. The event was held to raise awareness of the importance of bees as pollinators and the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Bees. 
 
The event, held in Parliament on 14 September gave MPs the opportunity to talk directly with bee farmers, apprentices from the Bee Farmers' Association explained their new programme and conservation and farming groups were on hand to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. 

Mansfield MP Sir Alan Meale supported the event and asked other MPs to attend to try and help protect our bee population. Sir Alan said: "Einstein once warned that if we lost our bee population – humanity would be extinct shortly afterwards.  We therefore must do everything to protect and encourage bees in our world.  I have written to Ministers regarding this very important issue and shall continue to fight for this cause in Parliament.”

Margaret Ginman, General Secretary of the Bee Farmers' Association said "There are around 700 people involved in Bee Farming in the UK, it is an extremely challenging career. Most of our members are small artisan producers who look to their MPs to provide meaningful support for this small rural industry. Managed and targeted pollination orchestrated by BFA members is crucial to sustainable food production in the UK.”

Tim Lovett, Public Affairs Director for the British Beekeepers Association said "It has been good to see the APPG for Bees get off the ground, helping MPs obtain a balanced understanding of the issues facing our bees in terms of pollination and honey production and a chance to debate the issues and to look for solutions.”

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