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Pollinator protection plans improve communication

An extension educator says communication between beekeepers and farmers is crucial in addressing honeybee population declines.

Meghan Milbrath with Michigan State University Extension tells Brownfield the EPA is asking each state to create their own pollinator protection management plan to reduce the risk of pesticides when honeybees are in pollination.  “About 42 percent of the colonies in the United States were lost last year.”  But she says about 30 percent of honey bee colonies are lost over the winter, which is twice as much as beekeepers consider sustainable.

Milbrath says about half of state have created managed pollinator protection plans as part of the Obama administration’s National Strategy for Pollinator Health to help address decreases in honeybee colonies.  “At minimum they have to really address the issue of communication between beekeepers and growers or pesticide applicators to protect honeybees that are in places where we are growing food.”  Milbrath says protection plans need to improve pollinator habitat while at the same time decrease pesticide exposure.

She says as the second most diverse agricultural state and a large honey producer, Michigan has the most to lose with the declining honeybee colonies.

AUDIO: Interview with Meghan Milbrath