Impact Of Crop Protection Products On Honeybees
Our position.
Both honeybees and plant protection products play a crucial role in the production of agricultural goods. It is in BASF‘s own interests to ensure that the responsible and correct use of its products - within the broader framework of sustainable agriculture - is compatible with beekeeping.
As BASF is committed to bee health, the company:
- Supports research projects, investigating the causes of increased honeybee colony mortality.
- Develops new products to control bee pests, pathogens, and diseases.
- Supports biodiversity projects, designed to improve the habitat's quality and bee health by facilitating nutritional resources for bees, insects, and other wildlife species.
The company's crop protection products undergo many years of extensive and stringent testing to ensure that there are no adverse impacts to the environment, including honeybees. Tests meet or exceed regulatory standards. Regulatory authorities carefully evaluate such studies before they approve a product to be marketed. Also for Genetically Modified Plants the protection of bees is part of the development, testing and approval system.
In addition to regulatory requirements, BASF has also defined and implemented product stewardship measures, which contribute to the protection of honeybees (i.e. appropriate labeling, training, correct application technology and quality charters).
As a key partner, BASF supports several joint initiatives to support bee health, involving bee keeper associations, research institutes, and governmental authorities.