What is Bayer doing to protect honey bees?
For nearly 30 years, Bayer has been actively involved in finding solutions to protect honey bee health. We support and collaborate on several research projects to better understand the impact of various factors on honey bee populations. Read on to learn how we’re helping to support these important pollinators.
Honey bees play a critical role in food production. Through pollination, honey bees contribute to the growth of many of the foods we need for a healthy diet including fruits, nuts and vegetables. Honey bees and other pollinators, are also important contributors to the rich diversity of flowering plants we enjoy around our homes and gardens.
Honey bees and pesticides
Honey bee health is complex. Most scientists, experts and regulators agree that a number of challenges face honey bees and other pollinators that can impact their health such as weather; beekeeping practices; pests and diseases; nutrition and habitat; genetic factors; and agronomic practices.
One out of every three bites of food that we eat is made possible by pollinators like honey bees.
Science has shown that neonicotinoid insecticides, when used according to label directions, are not the alleged cause of the honey bee colony health issues facing beekeepers. Neonicotinoid insecticides are used to treat seeds to protect them against certain crop-destroying pests.
Our Commitment to Honey Bees
For nearly 30 years, Bayer has been actively involved in finding solutions to protect honey bee health. We support and collaborate with public and private researchers, including academics at Canadian universities on several research projects to better understand the impact of various factors on honey bee populations. Bayer has opened state-of-the-art Bee Care Centers in both Europe and North America. These centers are dedicated to improving honey bee health through collaborative research, education and training.
We have been helping protect honey bee health for nearly 30 years.
Partnerships
Bayer continues to work with industry stakeholders such as CropLife Canada, the Canadian Seed Trade Association, and the Canadian Honey Council, as well as agricultural associations such as the Canola Council of Canada, Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Canadian Horticulture Council to:
- ensure responsible use of neonicotinoid seed treatments;
- support initiatives to encourage the adoption of best management practices for the planting of treated seed;
- develop technical innovations to further reduce potential exposure during seed planting; and
- engage in policy discussions with government and regulatory agencies regarding the importance of maintaining a strong, predictable, science-based regulatory system.
Bayer, along with 10 members of Canada’s agricultural industry came together to create Bees Matter. Bees Matter strives to provide a platform for conversation and the sharing of information regarding modern agriculture and the importance of ensuring a healthy environment for honey bees.
Products
We have offered a variety of products to help beekeepers combat the Varroa mite and other parasitic mites. We are firmly committed to the effective stewardship of seed-applied insecticides (also called seed treatments). We perform extensive lab and field studies to investigate the potential effects our products may have on bees and other beneficial insects. And we continue to work with industry stakeholders and agricultural associations to ensure the responsible use of our agricultural products.