Questions and answers

What is the scale of the problem for bumblebees?

There has been a 70% decline in bumblebee numbers over the past 30 years, primarily bumblebee species living on arable farmland.
One of the 20 species has been lost completely.
Six bumblebee species are at precariously low populations.
Three bumblebee species are categorised as ‘on the verge of extinction’.

The plight of the bumblebee is directly linked to the loss of its pollen and nectar food sources.
Changes in farm policy have led to a 97% reduction in grass/clover leys across the UK.
Bumblebee populations living in isolated pockets of pollen and nectar food source are most at risk of future habitat loss.

Because it is nature’s pollinator – for crops and wildflowers.
Because we can! Bumblebees respond incredibly quickly if you put back the food sources.
Bumblebees are a key indicator species on Government Biodiversity Action Plans – a healthy bumblebee population indicates other insects will be doing well too.
Restoring the fortunes of the bumblebee is a great PR opportunity for farmers.
Helping the bumblebee helps butterflies and other insects that thrive on pollen and nectar.
Operation Bumblebee will demonstrate that profitable farming and a vibrant countryside can sit side by side.

Put the habitat back to provide food and shelter; pollen and nectar are the building blocks for biodiversity.
Proactively manage habitats specifically to generate the greatest environmental benefit. Leaving areas to naturally regenerate provides little benefit for bumblebees and only limited short-term biodiversity gain – managed Operation Bumblebee habitats will generate very raid increase in diverse flora and fauna.
We now have the skills to make it work effectively.
Operation Bumblebee aims to work with 1000 farmers across the UK to create over 100o hectares of new pollen and nectar habitat.

Syngenta has been actively involved in environmental research since the 1960s and has a history of instigating successful projects.
Operation Bumblebee has been developed from the Buzz Project – an independent scientific evaluation of environmental management options undertaken in commercial farm conditions. Results from the Buzz Project revealed the pollen and nectar habitats were the best practical and economic option for farmers to rapidly restore the fortunes of the bumblebee.
Operation Bumblebee margins on the Cambridgeshire Buzz Project generated an 800% increase in bumblebee numbers in two years – including a rapid return of the bumblebee species Bombus Ruderatus, which was believed to be on the verge of extinction.
Government biodiversity experts have calculated one thousand hectares of the Pollen & Nectar seed mix established by Operation Bumblebee will make a ‘significant and sustainable difference to bumblebee populations’ across over one million hectares of UK arable cropping.
Farmers’ experiences in the Operation Bumblebee pilot project during 2005 have shown the huge benefits that can be achieved.

Operation Bumblebee margins are compliant with new agri-environment schemes and will qualify for Entry Level Scheme points.
Operation Bumblebee provides a unique source of knowledge in a new area for farmers, enabling them to successfully manage the environment as a new crop.
Operation Bumblebee is a great PR opportunity for UK farming.
Involvement with Operation Bumblebee could create a future marketing edge for UK food.
Demonstrating farmers can provide real environmental benefits alongside profitable farming could alleviate the need for legislative imposition of constraints in the future.
Operation Bumblebee provides an exciting and enjoyable new venture for farmers, generating real pride in the way that they farm and look after the countryside.