keithgrimes
Field Bee
- Joined
- May 29, 2010
- Messages
- 614
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Northumberland
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 3
We had a talk at the local association from a lady from Natural England this week. Nice lady but dissapointing talk. She was telling us about the wildlife stewardship schemes for landowners (margin wildflowers, grants for reduced fertilisation etc.) She admitted that their focus is birdlife (more insects equals more bird food). Quote ' there are two million members of the RSPB and only a few thousand beekeepers'.She aggressively defended their stance on Balsam (rip it out) and derided sycamores as 'unwanted aliens'. And just to p**s everyone off further she confirmed that their bee focus is on bumble bees rather than 'domesticated' (sic.) bees. A fairly unhappy room of beekeepers, good job the bar was open.