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<p>The National Pollinator Strategy is a 10 year plan published in November 2014,
developed following a thorough review of the evidence base and wide consultation.
It sets out how the Government, conservation groups, farmers, beekeepers and researchers
can work together to improve the status of the 1,500 or so pollinating insect species
in England.</p><p> </p><p>On farmland, since 2011, over 130,000 hectares in England
have been set aside to create new wildlife-rich habitat, largely through our agri-environment
schemes. In 2015 we also introduced new and simple agri-environment ‘packages’ to
make it easier for farmers to provide flower-rich margins or pollen and nectar plots
on fields to support wild pollinators.</p><p> </p><p>Natural England, our statutory
nature conservation adviser, continues to work with a range of landowning and NGO
partners to support the recovery of threatened species such as the barberry carpet
moth, short-haired bumblebee and chequered skipper butterfly.</p><p> </p><p>We are
supporting science-led restrictions on neonicotinoids based on scientific evidence
that they carry risks to pollinators. We also continue to tackle threats from invasive
species, such as the Asian hornet, and protect honey bees from pests and diseases
through a nationwide team of bee inspectors.</p><p> </p><p>We gather data on the status
of pollinators through a UK-wide pollinator monitoring and research partnership, established
in collaboration with research institutes and volunteer organisations. The Government’s
indicators of the abundance of UK butterflies show long-term declines since 1976 but
no significant change since 2012. Our indicator of pollinating insects in the UK tells
a similar story: overall distribution has declined since 1980 but has stabilised in
recent years. We are keeping these trends under review as encouraging but not yet
definitive signs of progress.</p><p> </p><p>The research evidence base on pollinators
and pollination is constantly improving and we keep this under review through our
advisory groups.</p><p> </p><p>The 25 Year Environment Plan commits to improving the
status of insects. We will continue to work in partnership with scientists and practitioners
for future generations to inherit a better environment.</p><p> </p>
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