Bees under pressure: World Bee Day calls Australia to act

Bees contribute an estimated $4.2 billion to Australian agriculture each year, yet the array of pollinators underpinning that system face threats on multiple fronts, including climate change, habitat loss, agricultural chemical use and the ongoing spread of pests and diseases.

Varroa mite, one of the world’s most destructive honey bee pests, has spread across the continent since its detection at the Port of Newcastle. Cost of managing the pest is expected to reach $70 million per year.

World Bee Day is approaching on Wednesday 20 May, and Chair of the World Bee Day Australia Steering Committee and Head Beekeeper for the Australian Parliament, Cormac Farrell, said World Bee Day highlighted a connection between bees and humans most Australians had never considered.

“Bees go far beyond honey production – they play a vital role in securing our food systems, supporting pollination services and maintaining the ecosystems that all life depends on,” Mr Farrell said.

“World Bee Day helps show just how much of the natural world relies on pollinators, and it provides a clear call to action: grow more flowers, restore habitat and reduce pesticide use in home gardens.

“It encourages people to act locally while thinking globally.”

Environmental educator and science communicator Clancy Lester, known to his 55,000 followers as The Bee Man, said young Australians had a particular stake in the future of bees.

“My generation has grown up knowing that the natural world is under threat, but bees are one of those issues where you can actually do something about it,” Mr Lester said. “The best time to act to protect our environment was 50 years ago. The second-best time is right now.

“Australia is home to more than 2,000 species of native bees that have been pollinating this continent for millions of years, and yet most Australians have never heard of them.

“Bees are under serious pressure, and World Bee Day is a chance to understand the full picture and act on it. Every bee-friendly native garden planted, every jar of pure local Australian honey bought, every conversation started – it adds up.”

World Bee Day is now observed in more than 100 countries and recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It is marked on 20 May across Australia with events registered through World Bee Day secretariat, the Wheen Bee Foundation.

Wheen Bee Foundation CEO Fiona Chambers said this year’s event had never been more important.

“Bees are fundamental to food security, biodiversity and ecosystem health, and they need our support,” Ms Chambers said.

“The pressures on bees are real, they are compounding, and they are not widely understood by the general public. World Bee Day exists to close that gap and bring bees into the national conversation.”

One of the easiest ways to take part is the Great Bee Morning Tea, which encourages businesses, schools and community groups to come together over foods made with pure Australian honey, raising awareness and directly supporting Australian beekeepers.

“Buying pure Australian honey and hosting a morning tea is a simple, direct act of support for beekeepers who are under unprecedented pressure,” Ms Chambers said. “That’s what World Bee Day is for: turning care into action.”

To register a World Bee Day event for free visit worldbeeday.org.au. For tangible ways to help bees this World Bee Day, visit worldbeeday.org.au/get-involved.