Sponsored: Bayer
Bayer participates in the National Bee Strategy
On Monday 22 January, the National Bee Strategy was signed by the government, academia, the business community and various social organisations. Bayer has also signed the strategy.
The aim of the strategy is to work together to preserve the diversity of pollinators in Dutch nature. Pollinators, including honeybees, wild bees and butterflies, are important not only for the pollination of our agricultural crops, but also for the survival of trees, shrubs and plants in nature.
Pollinators under pressure
Many pollinators in the Netherlands are not doing well. The Netherlands is a densely populated and highly productive country. The intensive use of space means that in many places there is less room for pollinators. The quality of this space is also not optimal. Emissions of, among other things, nitrogen, crop protection products and other substances can be harmful to pollinators.
The habitat of many pollinators has been lost due to the construction of cities, roads, fields and meadows. The current management of our landscape is often not friendly to pollinators. Mowed roadsides and waterfronts, closely tiled gardens, fields on which weeds and pests are controlled and meadows without flowers make it difficult for pollinators.
Fortunately, we can do something about this. Several examples show that targeted measures can help pollinators. Sowing and planting flowering shrubs, trees and plants ensures that pollinators have enough to eat. With appropriate maintenance of roadsides, ditches, fields and meadows, places are created where pollinators can live. By combating pollution from agriculture, industry and households, pollinators are better protected.
Bayer's contribution to the National Bee Strategy
Bayer endorses the goals of the National Bee Strategy. Bayer wants to contribute to this with Bayer Forward Farming and Bayer Bee Care. Bayer Bee Care focuses on the health of honeybees and wild bees. Here, in collaboration with Wageningen University and others, they are working on a honeybee that is resistant to the Varroa mite. Forward Farming in the Netherlands focuses on strengthening integrated cultivation systems and working within them in a responsible manner.
Biodiversity-stimulating measures are demonstrated at the Bayer Forward Farm in Abbenes. This concerns both biodiversity that benefits the farmer in cultivation, such as pollinators and natural enemies, and biodiversity that is worth protecting for intrinsic reasons. In addition, attention is paid to combating emissions of manure and substances into the environment. After all, a healthy environment is of great importance for pollinators and other nature.
Combating the loss of biodiversity, including pollinators, requires joint action from all parties involved. The National Bee Strategy ensures connections here. Forward Farming and Bee Care are focused on collaboration and dialogue. Bayer works with various parties on various projects aimed at sustainability. In addition, an active dialogue is being sought about making agriculture more sustainable. In the coming years, Bayer wants to continue to work with other parties to protect pollinators and other biodiversity in the context of the National Bee Strategy, among other things.
