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<p>Defra's indicator of the status of UK pollinating insects shows that overall distribution
has declined since 1980, but with little change over the short term. Although not
yet definitive, there are encouraging signs; for example the average distribution
of wild bees has shown some stability over recent years. While indicators of the abundance
of UK butterflies show long term declines since 1976, there has also been no significant
change since 2015.</p><p>Of the 148 species of bee and 229 species of hoverfly in
our pollinating insects indicator, over the long term, 19% of species became more
widespread (7% showed a strong increase), and 49% became less widespread (24% showed
a strong decrease). By contrast, over the short term, a greater proportion of species
were increasing (46%, with 34% exhibiting a strong increase) than decreasing (43%,
with 36% exhibiting a strong decrease).</p><p>The size of the honey bee population
is dependent to a large extent on the numbers of beekeepers. Defra has performed an
annual hive count since 2015 and the latest count, at the end of the 2020 season,
indicated a total UK population of approximately 260,000 honey bee colonies. As the
calculations rely on several assumptions, the hive count figure is termed an experimental
statistic. Distribution of hives is determined by where beekeepers arrange to locate
their apiaries. The National Bee Unit collates information on apiary location by county,
for example, but no formal assessment of geographic distribution has been made.</p><p>In
2019, alongside academic partners, we published evidence statements on what is known
about the status, values, drivers of change, and responses to management of UK insect
pollinators. This concluded that the service of pollination, provided by wild and
managed insects, is dependent on insect numbers, and can be improved by diverse pollinator
communities, therefore it is possible that pollination services to crops and wild
plants have declined in the long term.</p><p> </p><p>The review also highlighted the
biggest risk factors to UK pollinator species, such as habitat loss and fragmentation,
invasive species, pests and disease, climate change and risks from pesticide use.
We continue to act on these issues while keeping other threats under review alongside
our partners on the National Pollinator Strategy. For managed honey bees, current
major risks are from endemic pests and disease, on which we act alongside our partners
on the Healthy Bees Plan 2030.</p><p>Our 2019 review showed that historical declines
in nectar resources across Great Britain have slowed since the 1970s. While they remain
below 1930 levels, total potential nectar resources increased by 25% between 1998
to 2007. Our annual indicator of the extent and condition of priority habitats, many
of which are crucial for supporting pollinators, shows that in 2021, almost 1.23 million
hectares, or 65.6% of all priority habitats, were in a favourable or unfavourable
recovering condition. We are taking a range of actions to improve this position and
to restore and create further pollinator habitat.</p><p>For example, between 2014
and 2019, Natural England estimates that the area of farmland covered by agri-environment
scheme options delivering food and fuel for pollinators increased by 30,000 hectares,
largely driven by Countryside Stewardship's Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package,
while pollinators also benefited from managing existing habitat such as protected
sites or hedgerows.</p><p>We are also working with landowners, farmers and growers
alongside conservation bodies, to facilitate pollinator-friendly environments outside
agri-environment schemes, for example through Natural England's 'Back from the Brink'
species recovery programme and most recently, our Green Recovery Challenge Fund, including
Butterfly Conservation's project to restore habitats at 18 woodland sites in the Morecambe
Bay area to promote the recovery of threatened butterfly species.</p><p>We are building
on these measures and projects in the design of our new environmental land management
schemes, which will enable many more farmers and land managers to take positive action
for pollinators.</p><p>In urban spaces, managing public land such as parks or roadside
verges for pollinators will be one way that authorities can discharge their biodiversity
duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, a duty which the Environment
Act 2021 strengthens. We are working across Government on ways to support them, such
as by providing guidance. Local planning authorities and other designated public authorities
will also be required to produce regular Biodiversity Reports setting out the action
they have taken, and these reports will provide a valuable source of good practice.</p><p>Research
also shows that urban gardens are a significant source of nectar provision and can
support substantial pollinator populations. We established and coordinate 'Bees' Needs
Week', an annual event working alongside our many partners to raise awareness of the
steps that everyone can take to protect pollinators in gardens, allotments, window
boxes or other community spaces. We work with our partners to provide year-round guidance
and to celebrate examples of best practice in schools, community groups and local
authorities through our 'Bees' Needs Champions Awards'.</p><p>Pesticides are strictly
regulated and only authorised pesticides can be used. Authorisation is only given
if, among other requirements, there are expected to be no unacceptable effects on
non-target species.</p><p>Linking pesticide usage directly to changes in wild bees
and other pollinators remains challenging because of the range of pressures which
affect pollinators, in addition to the complexities of assessing and attributing pesticide
usage and risk to impacts.</p><p>We have funded research into the exposure of honeybees
to pesticides through analysing pesticide residues in honey samples from across the
country and using metabarcoding to understand how honeybees are exposed to these pesticides.
We are also currently funding research looking at how we could develop our monitoring
to better understand the effects of pesticides on pollinators, as well as routes of
exposure.</p><p>The draft 'National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides'
(NAP) sets out the key ambition to support the development and greater uptake of Integrated
Pest Management to reduce pressures on biodiversity and the natural environment. It
also set out the intention to improve indicators of pesticide usage, risk and impacts
and to ensure those who use pesticides do so safely and sustainably. This includes
working in line with the National Pollinator Strategy. The draft NAP was the subject
of a public consultation.</p><p>The key risk posed by non-native pollinator species
is from the non-native pest Asian hornet, whose diet includes honey bees and other
pollinating insects. A pest risk assessment and contingency plan were developed as
the spread of the species in parts of Europe became clear. Since 2016 there have been
small numbers of confirmed UK sightings, and the National Bee Unit has delivered a
successful response in each of these cases. There is no evidence to suggest that Asian
hornet has become established in the UK.</p><p>There are also risks to managed honey
bees from other non-native species such as Small hive beetle. Imports of honey bees
into the UK are only accepted from approved countries and are subject to rules relating
to notification and health certification to ensure that imports are free of key pests
and diseases. Post-import checks, including follow-up inspections, are also carried
out.</p><p>We continue to work within Defra and across Government to maintain and
increase the understanding of pollinator species' health and needs through our collaborative
work under the National Pollinator Strategy and the Healthy Bees Plan 2030, to integrate
action for wild pollinators and managed honey bees across Government policy.</p>
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