Communication the buzzword at bee meeting
Published 8:01 pm Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Better communication between beekeepers, farmers and other pesticide users is crucial to protecting Virginia’s honeybees.
In response to a national directive, the state is putting together a voluntary plan to protect honeybees.
Roughly 200 farmers, beekeepers, pesticide applicators and agricultural workers weighed in Monday on how to save the state’s declining honeybee population. The meeting, which was held at the Tidewater Agriculture Research and Extension Center, is one of seven regional meetings being held around the state to glean public input for a proposed Virginia State Managed Pollinator Plan, a voluntary program on how to best protect honeybees and other pollinators.
Multiple speakers said better communications about hive locations and 24 hours advance notice when spraying pesticides would help protect bees.
“If farmers could give me 24 hours notice before they spray, I could cover my hives and everybody would be happy,” said beekeeper Dave Mitchell.
Other speakers suggesting beekeepers place bike flags over their hives as an alert to pesticide users.
Communication modes may need to be adjusted to the users. Some proposed emails, a website or Facebook; other preferred a phone call, saying they don’t check messages or texts in the field.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will bring a draft plan back for public input.
