§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what figures are available to this Department indicating what proportion of the species of single bees recorded in the United Kingdom in the 19th century are still extant in Britain; and what proposals he has to study the pollination consequences of species demise on vegetation and crops. [33296]
§ Mr. BoswellI have no information about the number of species of feral bees, to which I understand the question refers, in the 19th century or now. The Government's responsibility under the Bees Act 1980 and the Bees Diseases Control Order 1982 is to ensure that beekeepers do not introduce or spread bee diseases. Although feral bees have a role to play, a healthy population of managed bees will ensure the pollination needs of insect pollinated agricultural and horticultural crops as well as for wild flowers and plants.