Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pollinators

Thursday 26 November 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Roger Gale asked questions about the decline in pollinator populations and the economic value of pollinators.
  • The Minister committed to meeting with representatives in Kent to discuss projects supporting pollinators.
  • The national pollinator strategy outlines actions to protect pollinators, addressing habitat loss and pesticide use.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Economy Environment
Context

The MP highlights the economic value of pollinators at £691 million, noting that 60% of native pollinators are in decline with a loss of 75% over the past 25 years. He references the Kent's Plan Bee initiative to establish B-lines across the UK.

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker, from the garden of England. My right hon. Friend will know that the value to the economy of pollinators is estimated at about £691 million. Some 60% of our native pollinators are in decline, and we have lost 75% of them over the past 25 years. Will he support me in backing Kent's Plan Bee, which is seeking to establish 5,000 miles of B-lines across the United Kingdom?

Answer from George Eustice

That sounds like a very interesting project, and I would certainly be willing to meet my right hon. Friend and representatives in Kent to discuss it. Our future environmental land management scheme will encourage the creation of habitats for pollinators, and our local nature recovery plans, to be advanced by local authorities, will also have a role to play.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Supporting 'Kent's Plan Bee' initiative directly

How: That Sounds Like A Very Interesting Project

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Q2 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Climate Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about the declining pollinator population, which has significant economic impacts.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to reverse the decline in the population of pollinators.

Answer from George Eustice

The national pollinator strategy sets out the actions we are taking with partners to protect pollinators. It includes dealing with habitat loss and the potential harm from pesticide use, invasive species and climate change. Our future agriculture policies will help to improve biodiversity and support habitats for pollinators, building on existing agri-environment measures to enable many more farmers and land managers to take positive action.

Answered
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