Concern over spike in honey bee poisonings

The Western Cape Bee Industry Association (WCBA) raised alarm over a concerning increase in honey bee poisonings across the province, attributed to the careless and often uninformed use of agricultural chemicals.

Riversdale beekeeper, Jannie Nothnagel, has lost about 70 honeybee colonies in two separate incidents in recent months. Laboratory analyses revealed that his bees were poisoned by fipronil, an insecticide with high toxicity for bees and strict usage restrictions.

What makes the situation even more alarming is the collateral damage to wild honey bee populations in the area. These naturally occurring colonies, which occupy trees and other nesting sites, have also been wiped out. “What is happening to the honey bees in Riversdale is heartbreaking,” said Nothnagel, expressing frustration over the unclear source and purpose of the fipronil application.

A Worcester-based beekeeper, who provides large-scale pollination services to agricultural farms, has reported the loss of about 600 of his colonies at a single farm. The beekeeper, who has asked that his name be temporarily withheld, attributes this to the reckless use of agricultural chemicals. Laboratory tests on dead bees from the site detected fungicides, which, although generally non-lethal to bees, can become toxic if applied incorrectly. The beekeeper said he was “in a big financial crisis,” highlighting the economic repercussions of such incidents on beekeepers.

The loss of healthy bee populations not only threatens biodiversity but also jeopardizes the agricultural economy, which depends heavily on pollination services to maintain high yields and quality produce. Honey bees pollinate more than 50 different food crops in South Africa, including fruits, nuts, and vegetables.

Chris Nicklin, Chairman of the WCBA, says, “There has been what could amount to bee carnage in some areas.” He adds, “The welfare of our indigenous honey bees is not merely a beekeeping issue – it should concern everyone. Without healthy and thriving honey bee populations, the agricultural output of the Western Cape will face severe challenges, potentially leading to reduced crop yields and economic losses for the province.”

Dr. Gerhard Verdoorn, a top expert on pesticide exposure and Stewardship and Operations Manager of CropLife South Africa, echoed these concerns. “The rate of bee poisoning incidents has increased alarmingly over the past two years,” he noted. “Bee-specific warnings on pesticide labels are often ignored, resulting in mass bee mortality when pesticides are applied during periods of active pollination in crop fields or orchards. In many cases, pesticides are sprayed off-label; in other words, contrary to label instructions. For example, imidacloprid is unlawfully applied via aerial spraying on cash crops. Insecticides are also frequently used during full bloom while bees are actively foraging, despite the strict warnings on labels to avoid this.”

The lack of adherence to proper pesticide application guidelines not only endangers bees but also highlights gaps in enforcement and awareness within the agricultural sector.

The Western Cape Beekeeping Association (WCBA) has recognized the urgent need to address this issue and has initiated several measures to mitigate the impact of bee poisonings. Under the guidance of its scientific adviser, Professor Robin Crewe – one of South Africa’s leading entomologists – the WCBA is creating a database to document bee poisoning incidents across the Western Cape. This centralized record will help identify trends, hotspots, and potential solutions to the crisis.

Additionally, the association is developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) to assist beekeepers in managing mass poisoning incidents effectively. While these initiatives are a step in the right direction, addressing the root cause of the problem will require a collaborative effort among all stakeholders, including beekeepers, farmers, government agencies, and pesticide manufacturers. Awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of pesticide regulations, and the promotion of bee-friendly farming practices will be essential in safeguarding honey bees and the critical role they play in agriculture.

The WCBA remains committed to working with all parties to address this urgent issue and ensure the long-term health and sustainability of honey bee populations in the Western Cape. “This is a crisis that requires immediate attention and decisive action,” said Nicklin. “Our future depends on the survival of our bees, and we all have a role to play in protecting them.”

HORTGRO BEE POLLINATION CHARTER

In 2017, the deciduous fruit industry signed a Bee & Pollination Charter to address the plight of bees in South Africa. The initiative came amid global concern about honey bee populations, which have seen drastic declines and fears that the species might face extinction. The scale of the problem is massive, as between 50% and 80% of the world’s food supply – fruits, vegetables, seeds – is directly or indirectly dependent on honey bee pollination.

Hugh Campbell, the then general manager at Hortgro Science, said at the time that bees are an integral part of the industry supply chain and without bees, production capacity would be diminished.

“It’s strategically important that they are protected and the charter forms a framework around which we can ensure that we can have a sustainable bee population in the South African context,” he said.

For further details:  info@wcba.co.za