EDM 1297: World Bee Day (No. 2)

That this House celebrates 20 May 2025 as World Bee Day, designated by the United Nations in order to raise awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in promoting individual and planetary health; recognises the centrality of bees to the British way of life, from the quiet industry of the hive to the pollination of hedgerows, orchards and cottage gardens that define our countryside, culture, and food security; further recognises the vital role of Britain’s 250-plus bee species in pollinating crops and sustaining biodiversity, contributing over £500 million annually to UK agriculture; acknowledges the critical importance of bees in sustaining biodiversity, supporting food production, and ensuring ecological balance; expresses concern at the continuing decline in bee populations due to climate change, pesticide use, habitat loss, invasive species like the yellow-legged hornet, and disease; calls on the Government to encourage local authorities, schools, farmers, and the public to support bee-friendly initiatives, including further planting, sustainable agriculture, and reduced pesticide use; and expresses pride at the tireless work of beekeepers, conservationists, and scientists across the UK who contribute to the protection and promotion of bees.