Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) reports rising bee mortality in Belgium, with 27.2% of bees perishing. Key causes include the Varroa mite and European Foulbrood. FAVV urges public support on World Bee Day by creating bee-friendly environments.
The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) observes Belgian beekeepers three times a year to monitor bee mortality: in autumn when the colonies are prepping for winter, in spring when the bees are foraging for food and in summer when the bees are engaged. On this year’s World Bee Day (20 May), the mortality rate of bees in the country has increased for the second year in a row. Last year, more than a quarter of Belgium’s bees did not endure the year.
Last year, the agency cautioned that bees’ mortality rate grew to 21.8% after a slight decrease in the mortality rate for 2020-2021 (17.76%). The latest results indicate that this trend is continuing, as reported on World Bee Day. In the most recent report, results revealed that a staggering 27.2% of all bees had perished across 179 bee stands, representing 742 colonies – a growth of 5.4 percentage points compared to the previous year.
These stats are likely an underestimation, as the FAVV selects the healthy colonies most likely to endure the winter during its autumn visit. The number of bee extinctions over one year is therefore likely higher.
What factors contribute to the decline in bee populations?
The Varroa mite – a parasite which kills bees – remains the bees’ biggest reason for death. However, a bacterial disease called European Foulbrood (EFB) which concerns honey bee larvae, also took hold in 2023. A record of 20 outbreaks of the bacterial infection were recorded in 2023, up from just four two years ago.
“When these diseases are noticed, the bee colony is destroyed to evade any spread to other hives,” the FAVV noted. Last year, this occurred 17 times. All Belgian beekeepers (a total of 10,428 in 2023) are registered with the FAVV so the agency can interfere quickly when diseases and pests circulate.
World Bee Day is a United Nations endeavour which takes place every year on 20 May. It aims to emphasise the importance of bees for nature conservation and facilitates people to help bees. On this day, the FAVV is pleading with people in Belgium to help prevent the mass mortality of bees.
What steps can Belgians take to support bee populations?
Bee populations can be supported by replacing a mowed lawn with a flower bed, which supplies a rich source of food for bees. Planting honey-bearing plants, such as dogwood, in gardens or on balconies also assists in strengthening the insects. On hot days, it is recommended to put out bowls with water and pebbles so the bees can drink without drowning.
