Ispectrum Magazine Ispectrum Magazine #09 | Page 50

Pollinators and pesticides: How can we improve the bleak situation of our bees? by declan perry B more commonly known – was rolled out across Europe. On the face of it this was good news for bees, and certainly better than no ban at all. But following the pesticide restrictions, the future of pollinators may not be as rosy as you might expect. ees pollinate many of the fruit, nuts and vegetables we eat and without them our supermarket shelves would be almost empty. Last year, in an attempt to protect our pollinating insects, the highly controversial ban of a group of pesticides called neonicotinoids – or neonics as they are 49