Bees and other pollinating insects perform essential services in any ecosystem. As well as providing a host of products such as honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly and venom, bees are critical pollinators. They pollinate around 70 of the 100 or so crop species that feed 90% of the world population, and honey bees are responsible for pollinating crops worth $30 billion a year. However, they are under serious threat. Various factors, including climate change, agricultural practices and parasites, such as the varroa mite, mean that bee populations across the world are in rapid decline. It’s now more important than ever to preserve these valuable insects. All participants in the food production supply chain need to work together to safeguard the health of bees and other pollinating insects.

How can Fera help? 

Fera leads the way in pollinator safety research, testing and analysis. We offer a host of services to support the objectives of bee keepers, farmers, chemical producers, retailers and consumers.

• More than 25 years’ experience of running bee safety studies.
• Global leader in bee toxicity testing.
• Co-located with the National Bee Unit, providing access to more than 150 colonies of honey bees.

Our role is to bring all participants in the food production supply chain together, sharing information and research, providing valuable testing services and creating opportunities for collaboration.