– Bees are dying because of chemical use – says “ii” Piotr Żądło, president of the Bolesławiec District Beekeepers’ Association. – As a result, thousands of wild-flowering plants may disappear. If plants are not pollinated, there will be no flowers, fruit or seeds.
Eighty percent of plants are pollinated by insects, mainly bees (about 20 percent are wind-pollinated plants). – An apple pollinated by a bee has more vitamins, tastes better and is rosier – explains the head of the Bolesławiec association.
It is worth remembering this especially now, as herbicide spraying is getting underway. Beekeepers appeal to farmers not to use strong chemicals and to spray after the bees have flown away, that is, in the evening or at night.
As Żądło points out, income from the sale of bee products in Poland reaches PLN 100 million, while income from plant pollination is estimated at PLN 7 billion. – This shows the value of these insects – notes the head of the District Beekeepers’ Association. – Honey, pollen and propolis are pure health. However, we lack bees. Last year, 9,000 tonnes of honey were imported into our country.
In Żądło’s opinion, more nectar-producing trees should be planted in Poland, including linden, maple, acacia and hawthorn trees. – We intend to approach road authorities on this matter, as they cut down linden trees, and also establish cooperation with local governments. We must make everyone aware that beekeeping is an integral branch of agriculture – says the president of the association. – We will fight for the insects that do so much good for us.
(information: ii)