It’s World Bee Day on the 20th May – designated by the United Nations. On this day in 1734, Catholic beekeeping pioneer Anton Janša from Slovenia was baptised. A renowned beekeeper, he once said: “Among all God’s beings there are none so hard working and useful to humanity with so little attention needed for its keep as the bee.”
Essential pollinators
In recent years, pollinator populations – especially bees – have been in decline. Habitat loss, climate change, monoculture farming, disease, and the widespread use of pesticides have all contributed to reduced bee activity. Yet, pollination is essential. Nearly 75% of the crops that feed the world rely, at least in part, on pollination. From almonds to apples, the absence of bees can have serious consequences. Without adequate pollination, yields decline, food becomes scarcer and more expensive, placing food security and the livelihoods of farmers and communities at risk.
World Bee Day provides an opportunity for all of us to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats, improve their abundance and diversity, and support the sustainable development of beekeeping. This not only benefits food production but also supports biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Halting bee decline
There are around 20,000 described bee species worldwide. The UK is home to 25 species of bumble bee, 224 species of solitary bee and one honey bee species. However, the UK has already lost around 13 species since 1900 and another 35 are currently at risk of extinction.
Farmers and growers are well placed to improve the quality and amount of diverse and flower-rich habitats for pollinators. Some farmers implement Integrated Pest Management strategies, such as using natural pest control methods and planting bee-friendly flowers alongside their crops. By taking proactive steps to support local bee populations, farmers can ensure a stable and productive harvest while contributing to the long-term health of the environment.
The UK Government works with farmers to improve the environmental management of farmland. Since December 2013, the European Union has restricted the use of three neonicotinoids – Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam – on a number of crops attractive to bees, such as oilseed rape. In November 2017, the UK Government announced its support of European Commission proposals to extend these restrictions after advice from pesticide experts.
The Church and Bees
Beeekeeping projects in the Catholic Church are often inspired by Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ on environmental care. The Vatican has long supported apiaries as part of the commitment to environmental care. In fact, beekeeping is an ancient Catholic tradition and bees are the perfect model for God’s Church as they live in service, working in harmony for the good of the hive.
In the UK, the Laudato Si’ Centre in Salford Diocese runs a project that includes beehives, educating students on biodiversity and using the honey to fundraise. The Faithful Companions of Jesus Sisters donated one of their three bee hives. The hives are located in an orchard planted by children in a wildflower area. Further south, near Birmingham, there are four beehives at the Columban Fathers property in Solihull. “This site is ideal for the hives,” says a local beekeeper who supports the project; “there’s lots for the bees to forage, there’s plenty of shelter from the sun and importantly the hives are safe and well protected.” Local schools visit the project and learn to respect bees.
How can we value bees?
I for one support protecting the bees and valuing their lives as creatures in the interconnected web of God’s creation. In my garden I grow a good mix of flowering plants that can provide nectar, pollen, and nesting habitats for bees. Single open flowers – for example cosmos and hellebore – are great for bees. Bees see the colour purple more clearly than any other colour, so lavender and allium are good choices too. Tubular-shaped flowers such as foxgloves, honeysuckle, and snapdragons are loved by them.
Grass is allowed to grow longer to encourage dandelions since they are a great source of pollen. Leaving hedgerows and brambles to grow naturally is ideal, and finding alternative, more natural ways to control insects is also of benefit to bees.
