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<p>Recovering nature is a priority for this Government, which is why we have set legally
binding targets to halt and then reverse the decline in species abundance, reduce
the risk of species extinction and restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of
wildlife-rich habitats. Action under the Environmental Improvement Plan to deliver
our biodiversity targets will address key pressures impacting pollinators including
habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, use of some pesticides, climate change
and land use intensification.</p><p> </p><p>Our 2014 National Pollinator Strategy
sets out a 10-year plan to help pollinators survive and thrive. It delivers action
across four themes: strengthening evidence; restoring habitats and species; sustaining
pollinator health; and engaging wider society. A Defra-led working group is considering
future priorities for pollinators beyond 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Agri-environment schemes
are a key mechanism for recovering bees and other pollinators, in particular through
the ‘Wild Pollinator and Farm Wildlife Package’. Between 2014 and 2019, an estimated
30,000ha of bee-friendly habitat was delivered through this scheme.</p><p> </p><p>We
have also collaborated with research institutes and volunteer organisations to set
up the Pollinator Monitoring and Research Partnership to improve our understanding
of pollinators and pollination services, and raised the profile of pollinators through
our annual Bees’ Needs Week, which raises awareness of key actions we can all take
to protect pollinators. Bees’ Needs Week 2024 will run from 8-14 July.</p><p> </p><p>Defra
supports the honey bee population specifically through the work of the National Bee
Unit inspectorate, which operates our bee pest surveillance programmes and provides
free training and advice to beekeepers, including on pest and disease recognition.
While bee health is a devolved matter, Defra and the Welsh Government work together
on bee health and, in 2020, we jointly published the <a href="https://www.nationalbeeunit.com/bee-health-improvement/the-healthy-bees-plan-2030/"
target="_blank">Healthy Bees Plan 2030</a> (copy attached).</p>
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