about operation bumble bee

Bumblebee populations on UK arable farms have declined by more than 70% over the past 30 years, primarily through loss of vital nectar food resources and nesting sites as cropping patterns have changed. One of the 20 bumblebee species has disappeared altogether, and three other species are on the verge of extinction.

Now Operation Bumblebee, pioneered and funded by Syngenta, is set to put the habitat back and revive the fortunes of the humble bumblebee across the entire UK arable farming area. Over 1000 farmers are now being sought to join the new national scheme, with each committed to establishing at least a hectare (2.5 acres) of specific Operation Bumblebee seed mix.

Operation Bumblebee provides farmers and advisors with the training, skills and Syngenta technical support to successfully establish habitats rich in the traditional flowering species red clover, vetches and sanfoin.

Operation Bumblebee has demonstrated that pro-active management of dedicated environmental areas will achieve far greater results for all biodiversity than simply deintensifying farm production. When integrated alongside conventional arable areas, Syngenta Operation Bumblebee creates a practical and workable solution.

“Establishing a patchwork of Pollen & Nectar mixtures on areas of unproductive farmland - often along field edges, in difficult to work corners or low yielding soils - provides huge environmental benefit, with little or no effect on farm productivity,” according to Syngenta’s Simon Elsworth (left). “In fact, when coupled to points gained for agri-environment scheme payments, the environmental areas can become both biodiversity rich and financially profitable.” Research has shown Operation Bumblebee habitats - providing all important pollen and nectar food sources - are equally beneficial for butterflies, spiders, beetles and other insects.