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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/23/steady-decline-honey-crop-raises-concern-honeybees-future
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| 'Steady decline' in honey crop raises concern for honeybees' future | 'Steady decline' in honey crop raises concern for honeybees' future |
| (30 days later) | |
| British Beekeepers Association survey reveals worrying drop in honey yield, with 62% of beekeepers saying neonicotinoids are to blame | British Beekeepers Association survey reveals worrying drop in honey yield, with 62% of beekeepers saying neonicotinoids are to blame |
| Press Association | Press Association |
| Mon 23 Oct 2017 11.55 BST | Mon 23 Oct 2017 11.55 BST |
| First published on Mon 23 Oct 2017 11.55 BST | |
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| Beekeepers have raised concerns over the future of honeybees as an annual survey showed a “steady decline” in the honey crop. | Beekeepers have raised concerns over the future of honeybees as an annual survey showed a “steady decline” in the honey crop. |
| The survey by the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) revealed beekeepers in England produced an average of 11.8kg (26 lb) of honey per hive this year, down 1kg on last year. | The survey by the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) revealed beekeepers in England produced an average of 11.8kg (26 lb) of honey per hive this year, down 1kg on last year. |
| While weather can cause fluctuations in honey yield, the organisation said it is the steady overall decline in quantity that is worrying, with long-time beekeepers saying a crop of 25-45kg was typical in the 1950s. | While weather can cause fluctuations in honey yield, the organisation said it is the steady overall decline in quantity that is worrying, with long-time beekeepers saying a crop of 25-45kg was typical in the 1950s. |
| The survey also revealed the factors worrying beekeepers about the future of their honeybees, with almost two-thirds of keepers stating they are concerned about pesticides including neonicotinoids which have been linked to declines in bees. | The survey also revealed the factors worrying beekeepers about the future of their honeybees, with almost two-thirds of keepers stating they are concerned about pesticides including neonicotinoids which have been linked to declines in bees. |
| A third of beekeepers feared the loss of forage from agricultural development, 28% were worried about varroa mite pests, 28% had concerns about the invasive Asian hornet which preys on honeybees, and 28% were anxious about climate change. | A third of beekeepers feared the loss of forage from agricultural development, 28% were worried about varroa mite pests, 28% had concerns about the invasive Asian hornet which preys on honeybees, and 28% were anxious about climate change. |
| The survey of 1,446 beekeepers in England and Wales, members of the BBKA and the Welsh Beekeepers Association, found the south-east was the most productive area, producing an average of 13.6kg of honey per hive. | The survey of 1,446 beekeepers in England and Wales, members of the BBKA and the Welsh Beekeepers Association, found the south-east was the most productive area, producing an average of 13.6kg of honey per hive. |
| The east of England saw beekeepers get an average of 13.3kg of honey. The south-west and Wales, which suffered particularly wet summers, saw their crops drop to an average of 8kg per hive. | The east of England saw beekeepers get an average of 13.3kg of honey. The south-west and Wales, which suffered particularly wet summers, saw their crops drop to an average of 8kg per hive. |
| Britain differs from the rest of Europe in that beekeeping is mostly carried out by amateur beekeepers rather than bee farmers, the BBKA said. | Britain differs from the rest of Europe in that beekeeping is mostly carried out by amateur beekeepers rather than bee farmers, the BBKA said. |
| Hives in suburban gardens were shown to be doing best, producing 12.5kg on average, while rural gardens were doing least well, with an average of 10.2kg of honey. | Hives in suburban gardens were shown to be doing best, producing 12.5kg on average, while rural gardens were doing least well, with an average of 10.2kg of honey. |
| John Hobrough, who has recently been awarded his BBKA certificate for 60 years of beekeeping and is the BBKA’s “adopt a beehive” campaign representative in the north-east, said: “A honey crop of 50-100lb was typical when I started beekeeping in the 1950s. | John Hobrough, who has recently been awarded his BBKA certificate for 60 years of beekeeping and is the BBKA’s “adopt a beehive” campaign representative in the north-east, said: “A honey crop of 50-100lb was typical when I started beekeeping in the 1950s. |
| “In those days farmers underplanted crops with clover to nourish the land; nowadays there just isn’t time or space for this style of farming. I think it is having a huge impact on the honey crop, by reducing the forage available not just to honeybees, but all our insects.” | “In those days farmers underplanted crops with clover to nourish the land; nowadays there just isn’t time or space for this style of farming. I think it is having a huge impact on the honey crop, by reducing the forage available not just to honeybees, but all our insects.” |
| Margaret Murdin, BBKA chairwoman, said: “Everyone can play a part in helping honeybees and all the other insects they love such as butterflies and bumblebees by planting the right sort of flowers and shrubs. | Margaret Murdin, BBKA chairwoman, said: “Everyone can play a part in helping honeybees and all the other insects they love such as butterflies and bumblebees by planting the right sort of flowers and shrubs. |
| “Check the label to see that anything you plant will be rich in nectar and pollen as not all plants are equal in this respect. A crocus is so much better for bees than a daffodil, for example. | “Check the label to see that anything you plant will be rich in nectar and pollen as not all plants are equal in this respect. A crocus is so much better for bees than a daffodil, for example. |
| “Our survey shows that suburban gardens and urban roof tops produce some of the best honey crops, so how we garden really can make a difference.” | “Our survey shows that suburban gardens and urban roof tops produce some of the best honey crops, so how we garden really can make a difference.” |
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