A Touraine vineyard stripped of its biodiversity: irrespective of economic imperatives how can this be the best long-term approach? The orange plague stretches as far as the eye can see.Two stories this week (Monday and Tuesday) on successive days about disappearing butterflies and bees – see below. The first about butterflies disappearing from the UK and the second about the threat to bees within Europe. Doubtless the causes are complex and there is not just one sole factor at play here. However, the widespread use of insecticides and herbicides would seem to be one of the major contributory factors – not least the consequent destruction of biodiversity.
Death knell sounds for Europe's beekeepers
Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:09am
* 30 percent of hives died in 2008
* More than a third of crops rely on bee pollination
By Pete Harrison
BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) - Europe's beekeeping industry could be wiped out in less than a decade as bees fall victim to disease, insecticides and intensive farming, international beekeeping body Apimondia said on Monday.
Death knell sounds for Europe's beekeepers
Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:09am
* 30 percent of hives died in 2008
* More than a third of crops rely on bee pollination
By Pete Harrison
BRUSSELS, April 27 (Reuters) - Europe's beekeeping industry could be wiped out in less than a decade as bees fall victim to disease, insecticides and intensive farming, international beekeeping body Apimondia said on Monday.
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Once there were swarms of butterflies in our skies
... but if you go out for a walk today, you will be lucky to spot one or two. Patrick Barkham, who has been a passionate lepidopterist since he was eight years old, laments the dramatic decline of these most extraordinary insects – and wonders if there is any chance of saving them.
... but if you go out for a walk today, you will be lucky to spot one or two. Patrick Barkham, who has been a passionate lepidopterist since he was eight years old, laments the dramatic decline of these most extraordinary insects – and wonders if there is any chance of saving them.
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Saumur-Champigny biodiversity programme
Fortunately there are some positives in the Loire, for example the biodiversity programme in the Saumur-Champigny appellation, where the producers have worked together to provide habitats – hedges, woods and rough pasture – to encourage insects and animals.
What is needed is a programme to encourage other Loire appellations to take this on and where necessary to provide the financial and logistical support to make this feasible. After all there are few appellations outside the Central Vineyards, particularly Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre, that sell as well as Saumur-Champigny.
One of the significant objectives of the biodiversity scheme is to encourage predatory insects that prey on insects that are pests or threats to the vine, so although there may well some altruism here there are also solid commercial reasons for the Saumur-Champigny producers to work together.
Fortunately there are some positives in the Loire, for example the biodiversity programme in the Saumur-Champigny appellation, where the producers have worked together to provide habitats – hedges, woods and rough pasture – to encourage insects and animals.
What is needed is a programme to encourage other Loire appellations to take this on and where necessary to provide the financial and logistical support to make this feasible. After all there are few appellations outside the Central Vineyards, particularly Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre, that sell as well as Saumur-Champigny.
One of the significant objectives of the biodiversity scheme is to encourage predatory insects that prey on insects that are pests or threats to the vine, so although there may well some altruism here there are also solid commercial reasons for the Saumur-Champigny producers to work together.
