Lille opened a training centre in beekeeping

Bees and other pollinators broaden the circle of friends. Growing cities, companies, regions and Governments make a gesture against the collapse of these insect populations, vital for agriculture. Beginning of December, it is Remy Martin joined network biodiversity for the bees. Manufacturer of cognacs has transformed into honey Prairie twenty hectares on the 250 of the charentais vineyards. In the spring, insects enjoy sainfoin, clover, branched and other generous flower pollen and nectar. More systematically, the company will benefit from periods of five years of fallow between uprooting and replanting of its vines to insert a rotation of wheat, followed by three years of beekeeping interest crops. The network of biodiversity for the bees, launched 15 years ago, records now 300 partners, mainly from the agricultural world, that has the greatest influence on biodiversity. "We expect 1,500 hectares of apiculture Fallows and hope for 2010 double these areas to achieve 10,000 hectares in 2013", table Pierre Testu, responsible for the network. To achieve these objectives, there are developments next to the common agricultural policy which will require farmers to spend 5 of their areas with environmental covered, including apiculture Fallows.

Hotels in insects

The agricultural world is to compensate for the periods of famine following the harvest of some crops such as sunflower or rapeseed. Maïsadour cooperative thus planted 100 hectares in the Landes region of reserve pollen and nectar. In Champagne-Ardenne, French alfalfa asylum, 7 m long bands are left in bloom in the spring. In Alsace, institutions Gustave Muller, agricultural trading company, have sponsored parcels of spruce monoculture plantations clearing to install prairie flowers and grasses shared by insects and the breeders.

Other isolated initiatives to flourish. The real estate company Gecina, through its Foundation, will fund with the NFB installation of hotels in insects. The Unaf, for its part, has launched an awareness program to pollinators with 30 partners, including 5 regions (Burgundy, IDF, etc.), 4 councils, several cities and a few companies like l ' Oréal. These supports were used to install 300 hives or hotels in insects. Lille opened a training centre in beekeeping. Natureparif, the regional agency of the biodiversity of the Ile-de-France, installed shelters to insects. The Botanic chain removed its rays insecticides and installed hives in nine of its stores. As the château Larose Trintaudon, a large area of médoc Bordeaux committed to long date in sustainable development, he sowed bee Fallows and installed 8 hives.

Yet, the National Union of French beekeeping (Unaf), considers that these initiatives remain more a means of educating a real solution. Its President, Henri Clément, view as well as the areas announced by the biodiversity to bees network correspond to the pantry of 5 to 10 hives by Department.

What diagnosis

The two organizations differ on the diagnosis of the decline of bees. Researchers believe majority that it is due to several factors: decline of plant biodiversity due to monoculture, extensive use of pesticides, health problems. The Unaf fought for years against pesticides and their producers, accused of being the evil principal. For its part, the biodiversity to bees network estimates that the priority is to restore a diversity of cultures. A posture that the Unaf explained by the strong support of BASF and other seed firms. Pierre Testu justifies his support: "their presence reassures cooperatives or farmers.

The Agency for insects and their environment (Opie), entomologist Serge Gadoum believe that these programmes of action help certainly honeybees, but not necessarily wild species. This is why he wants a coordinating national or regional initiatives, a perspective in discussion with the Department of ecology.