Agricultural News
CropLife America Recognizes 2013 Pollinator Week
Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:06:52 CDT
CropLife America (CLA) continues its ongoing recognition of the importance of pollinators for modern agriculture during national Pollinator Week. This year marks the seventh annual observance of Pollinator Week, after it was first approved by the U.S. Senate and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2007. Throughout the week, people around the U.S. will participate in events in support of pollinators such as honey bees, birds, bats and other insects that are so instrumental for the growth of native plants and cultivated crops.
"Pollinators are the sparkplugs of modern agriculture and our industry is dedicated to pinpointing the various environmental and man-made factors that influence their health," noted Dr. Barb Glenn, senior vice president of science & regulatory affairs for CLA. "CLA recognizes Pollinator Week by standing with the regulatory agencies, farmers, scientists and beekeepers that are working collaboratively toward improved pollinator health."
Honey bees in particular have a significant impact on farming in the U.S. and around the globe. It is estimated that honey bees contribute to 35 percent of the world's agriculture and $20 billion worth of crop production in the U.S. each year. Without honey bees, it would be impossible for American farmers to grow the variety of crops that are harvested throughout the year, including blueberries, apples, melons and avocados.
Jay Vroom, CLA's president and CEO, added, "Developing solutions for good pollinator health is only possible through communication and collaboration on various levels, from our nation's regulators to American farmers and beekeepers. This is clear in a report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that highlights opportunities for collaboration needed to address the complex factors involved in pollinator health. We continue to work with groups that promote the health of our nation's pollinators through stewardship efforts and effective regulatory measures."
For more information about pollinator health and the crop protection industry, visit www.croplifeamerica.org.
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