Fylde MP quizzes minister over bees
FYLDE MP Michael Jack has quizzed environment minister Hilary Benn on the health of bees during a recent exchange in the House of Commons.
Beekeepers are lobbying for more attention to be paid to the potential threats to the nation's been population which has come to light following reports from the United States of America about colony collapse.
Mr Jack said: "A plentiful supply of food is dependent on the work of bees. Much concern has recently been expressed about the health of bees, certainly in this country.
"To draw the sting from that argument, the Government has launched a consultation process on bee health.
"In order to safeguard food supplies what help will the Secretary of State give to beekeepers now to ensure that the work of bees is undertaken properly this season?"
Mr Benn replied that his department was contributing £1.3m to the bee health programme amid growing concern about "colony collapse disorder.
He added: "We are taking the matter seriously. We want to focus our money on research that will help us to find the answer so that we can deal with the problem."
The full article contains 194 words and appears in Blackpool Gazette newspaper.
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Last Updated:
08 May 2008 12:39 PM
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Source:
Blackpool Gazette
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Location:
Blackpool
