Who Will Save the Beekeepers?

The temperature fluctuations, the long rainy days, and the strong winds have compromised the blooms from which the bees collect nectar and pollen. It is incredible to observe the robinia plants in bloom, but completely devoid of bees. What should normally be a riot of buzzing is now nothing but silence. These are the words of a beekeeper, who launches his appeal in one of the most important Facebook groups for beekeepers in Italy: 'The BEES DIE OF HUNGER. They die in the middle of spring, they die while the cherry trees are blossoming, while the dandelion blossoms, and they die with the acacia in bloom. Bees only live thanks to beekeepers who feed them sugary syrups, not to make honey or who knows what else, but to keep them alive'.

It is by no means a coincidence that even Coldiretti has spoken out on the subject. The association emphasised how this abnormal climate has a negative influence on bees and their health. Compromised blooms and the inability of bees to collect sufficient nectar not only result in a drastic drop in honey production. We know that more than 70% of the food we eat every day depends on bees. Apples, pears, almonds, citrus fruits, kiwis, chestnuts, cherries, apricots, courgettes and melons are just some of the fruits whose production is brought to its knees if bees do not pollinate their flowers. The contribution of bees, however, does not stop there. Pastures for farm animals, consisting of, for example, clover and alfalfa, are pollinated by bees, as are many important crops (carrots, garlic, onions).

The drastic drop in honey production, therefore, is just the tip of the iceberg, but it is still alarming given the importance of the beekeeping sector in Italy. Coldiretti reminds us that last year alone honey production amounted to 22,000 tons, with more than 50 varieties of honey, from the most common and well-known, such as acacia or millefiori, to the more niche and precious ones, such as arbutus or thyme. Coldiretti also emphasises that there are more than 1.2 million hives throughout the peninsula, tended by 45,000 hobbyist and professional beekeepers, and that the sector is estimated to be worth more than EUR 2 billion just for the pollination of crops.

This drastic drop in honey production is not only reflected in Coldiretti's words. Even some of our beekeepers who participate in the project 'Adopt a hive' have already informed us that this year their acacia production is zero and that they are therefore very worried. Not only are they unable to produce honey, but they have to support their bees with the appropriate nutrients to avoid seeing them die, colony after colony. The sensitive issue of the huge quantities of honey imported from abroad, especially from Hungary and China, is also part of this picture. Especially in the latter country, food regulations are much milder and less restrictive than ours, at least as far as honey is concerned. This is detrimental to the consumer.

At this time it becomes even more important to support Italian beekeepers and their bees. climate change, the depletion of natural habitats, pesticides, parasites and diseases are just some of the many reasons that are jeopardising the survival of these insects that are so fundamental not only for the environment, ecosystems and biodiversity, but also for our own lives. The issue related to pesticides is rather thorny. Recently, the European Union banned three types of neonicotinoids, pesticides used, for example, in the tanning of various seeds, whose negative impact on bees is now widely known. The effects that these substances have on bees are many and varied. They impair their ability to collect nectar and pollen, but also their learning ability. In addition, they increase their mortality rate and dysfunction, even in larvae and queens.

Bees are endangered, but what can we do about it? Each of us can do something, even in our own small way. Being aware that there is a serious problem is the first step. This issue must then be highlighted and brought to the tables, from which concrete action must be taken to trigger a change of course. In our own small way we can plant bee-saving seeds, create gardens, balconies and flower beds full of flowers that can support bees from early spring until late autumn. We avoid using pesticides and herbicides and do not look at 'weeds' as something to be eradicated, but as food for the bees. We can buy honey from our trusted beekeeper, without asking him for the impossible, but accepting what his bees were able to give them.