Bayer Bee Care Program The importance of pollinators in sustainable agriculture

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1 Bayer Bee Care Program The importance of pollinators in sustainable agriculture

2 Bayer and bees Bees and other pollinators are important for Bayer because pollination is key for our customers, the farmers. Many crops need to be pollinated by insects to enable seed and fruit production. Thus, pollination allows the farmer to produce the diverse variety of food crops we enjoy every day. In addition, there is also a direct business link between pollinators and Bayer, where production and breeding of our hybrid canola seeds rely extensively on insect pollination services in our key markets around the world. It is therefore in the interest of Bayer to promote and protect the health of pollinators and we do so via our Bee Care Program. The importance of pollinators in sustainable agriculture At Bayer, we believe that sustainable agriculture is the best approach to ensure people s quality of life. If agriculture is to be sustainable, farmers need to increase their profitability and yields, in order to provide safe and affordable food for our growing global population in the decades to come. At the same time, farmers need to protect the environment because it is the natural resource they depend on. To produce this food while preserving the environment, farmers need efficient crop pollination and innovative crop protection technologies. Bayer is committed to supporting them for both needs: by protecting crops from pests and diseases; and by helping farmers to protect bees and other pollinators that are important for the production of many fruits, nuts and vegetables key contributors to a healthy diet. Through their performance, pollinators contribute up to 8 % to global crop production (agricultural tonnage). + 8% approx. - 40% Each year, up to 40 % of global crop yields are lost to pests and diseases. Without crop protection products, this could almost double. Source: Oerke et al., 1995 / Yudelman et al., Bayer Bee Care Program Bayer Bee Care Program 3

3 Challenges to pollinator health Since its arrival in Europe some 40 years ago and subsequent spread, a parasitic mite (Varroa destructor) has quickly become the most dangerous threat to honey bees. As such, beekeepers in both Europe and North America have suffered equally the losses of honey bee colonies caused by this pest. However, other parasites like the wax moth and small hive beetle; diseases caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses; and predators such as the Asian hornet, may also weaken the colony. As the global human population grows, the demand for more food to feed ourselves and our livestock has led to more intensive agriculture. As a result, more and more wildflower-rich grassland was transformed into crop land, reducing the abundance and diversity of flowers and nesting habitats for pollinators. This loss of foraging habitat has impacted pollinator health in agricultural landscapes. In addition, other diverse influences have negatively impacted pollinator wellbeing, among them unfavorable weather conditions, inappropriate beekeeping practices, and indiscriminately or incorrectly applied chemicals (including pesticides and veterinary products for honey bees). The importance and interplay of these multiple stress factors differ from region to region. NUTRITION AND HABITAT GENETIC FACTORS WEATHER BEEKEEPING PRACTICES PESTS AND DISEASES AGRONOMIC PRACTICES 4 Bayer Bee Care Program Bayer Bee Care Program 5

4 Excellence in Pollinator Science COMMUNICATION AND DIALOG Feed a Bee P Foraging and nutrition P Pollinator biodiversity Healthy Hives P Research to combat honey bee pests and diseases P Hive management Sustainable Agriculture P Responsible product use Beekeeper farmer relations P Crop pollination The Bayer Bee Care Program Bayer firmly believes that improving the health of bees and other pollinators is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders, including the chemical industry. That is why, in 2011, Bayer established a dedicated Bee Care Program. The program draws on the company s wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of crop protection and animal health. Bayer shares this expert knowledge and experience with all stakeholders, and collaborates with partners across the globe on local projects for ecology, honey bee health and pollination. The aim is to strike a balance between contributing to the health, wellbeing and diversity of pollinators, while helping farmers to optimize their agricultural productivity. There is no one fits all solution or approach to providing and ensuring both pollination services and agricultural productivity. Both depend on the climate, environmental factors, pests and diseases of crops and their pollinators, and the agronomic practices in the different regions of the world. Wherever farmers are busy producing our food, Bayer is committed to promoting the latest technologies that help them be competitive, productive and sustainable, while also developing even better concepts to enhance pollinator health worldwide. Through this integrated approach, Bayer goes far beyond activities related to pesticide safety testing and stewardship measures relating to bees. Our mission is to address many of the challenges faced by pollinators in our modern world. It is our firm belief that this approach will benefit human beings, pollinators, and the environment. The Bayer Bee Care Program focuses on three key areas: Feed a Bee, Healthy Hives and Sustainable Agriculture 6 Bayer Bee Care Program Bayer Bee Care Program 7

5 Feed a Bee Good nutrition throughout the season has been identified as a key factor for the health of honey bees. In addition to their needs regarding specific foraging plants, many wild bee species depend on suitable habitat and nesting structures. Our Feed a Bee activities aim to expand pollinator habitat in order to meet nutritional and reproductive needs of diverse pollinator species and to contribute to enhancing pollinator biodiversity. Examples of projects where Bayer is active in this area include a cooperation with two scientific partners in Southern Germany, to develop and evaluate measures to increase pollinator biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The focus of this project, which began in 2010, has been on wild bees and butterflies. Additionally, our Feed a Bee initiative in the USA increases food for bees and other pollinators by planting more flowers and establishing additional forage acreage, while engaging the public along the way. Working with individuals and organizations across various sectors, Feed a Bee helps to provide pollinators with the diverse forage and habitat they need to thrive. Many wild bee species need specific foraging plants for food. Diverse forage and habitat help bees to thrive. Planting for consecutive flowering provides nutrition throughout the year. 8 Bayer Bee Care Program Bayer Bee Care Program 9

6 Healthy Hives Many pollinator species play a key role in agriculture. Of these, no other individual species is more important to agriculture than the honey bee (Apis mellifera), even in regions where it is not a native insect. The three primary needs of all honey bees are food (nectar and pollen), shelter (or nesting space), and a safe environment. Beekeepers have the important task to ensure their colonies stay healthy and strong. Our Healthy Hives activities work towards developing ways to optimize beekeeping practices and better combat honey bee pests and pathogens through collaboration, communication, and partnerships for research and education. Varroa mite on a honey bee Varroa Gate Large-scale monitoring study on bee health, Chile One example of this engagement is our cooperation with external research partners to find new ways to effectively control the Varroa mite. Together we have developed a novel and innovative tool, the Varroa Gate: a plastic strip containing an acaricidal active substance, which is fitted over the entrance to the beehive and is designed to prevent mite (re-)infestation. The product will be available in various European markets as of 2017, for use by beekeepers as part of their integrated Varroa management programs. In South America, information about the status of honey bee health is still very limited. Hence, we are working with local researchers to develop a better knowledge base about bee health and its influencing factors. One of the research projects is a bee health monitoring program with the Fraunhofer Chile Research Foundation. Its aim is to determine the bee health situation in Central Chile. In a large-scale monitoring study (more than 70 apiaries involved, with 810 colonies overall), the research team investigated the influence of factors such as apiary management, pests, and pesticides on bee health in the region. This study is part of a larger project aimed at optimizing pollination and, thus, agricultural yields in Chile. 10 Bayer Bee Care Program Bayer Bee Care Program 11

7 Sustainable Agriculture In the next 40 years, it is projected that the world population will grow from seven to almost ten billion people. Finding solutions to increase yields and to protect pollinators is critical to food production and agricultural sustainability. Pollen transfer is the spark that starts the crop production engine, while crop management and crop protection are the fuel that keeps it growing. In order to achieve this sustainability, crop protection and pollinator protection need to work alongside each other and they can. Bayer works hard to prevent any risk from pesticides to bees: with extensive testing, risk assessment and stewardship measures; helps bring beekeepers and farmers closer together; and conducts leading-edge research to optimize crop pollination. Bayer is involved in projects to develop and implement innovative application technologies that reduce the exposure of bees and other pollinators to crop protection products. Using the Dropleg application technology, for example, farmers can apply crop protection products below the blossoms of a flowering crop to minimize the exposure of pollinators foraging on the blossoms and reduce drift losses. The technology has been widely tested on oilseed rape, which is a large-scale crop in Europe whose blossoms are an important nectar and pollen source for pollinators such as honey bees. Initial results look promising, showing a reduction in pollinator exposure whilst maintaining effectiveness against the targeted pests. Dropleg application technology 12 Bayer Bee Care Program Some crops are heavily dependent on insect pollination, while others are less so, and some do not rely on insect pollinators at all. Field studies in different crops can help to better understand the pollination system and the local pollinator community that is found in the crop. These field studies may also improve knowledge about potential exposure of pollinators in the crops to pesticide applications. So far Bayer has performed generic crop studies in Brazil (various crops), Chile (grapes), Colombia (beans), and Peru (citrus) all in collaboration with local bee scientists. Study in Colombia on the pollinator community in bean fields. Bayer Bee Care Program 13

8 Communication and Dialog Within the framework of the Bayer Bee Care Program, we proactively reach out to various stakeholder groups including industry partners, scientists, farmers, beekeepers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and representatives of the food value chain. We exchange knowledge and experiences, address questions and concerns, offer transparency on our activities, and seek opportunities to cooperate in the area of pollinator health via collaborations or partnerships. Bayer Bee Care Center in Monheim, Germany Apiary in Monheim, Germany The apiary at the Monheim site features an exhibition and discussion room as well as a dedicated beekeeping and laboratory area. It is surrounded by a pollinator garden with the Bee Care Center s own beehives. In addition, an extensive global network of in-house experts, around 30 of whom work primarily with bees and other pollinators, covers a wide range of topics from the development of pollinator-compatible use patterns and environmental safety testing of crop protection products to research into bee genetics and physiology, and the development of veterinary products for bees. As a life science company we will continue to play an active and visible role in pollinator health for sustainable agriculture around the world. The Bayer Bee Care Centers The Bayer Bee Care Centers were established in Europe and North America to promote and protect pollinator health. They feature a dedicated team of scientific bee experts and communication specialists. Through these centers, we can reach out and better connect with a broad range of stakeholders to seek opportunities to work together on pollinator health issues. Imprint PUBLISHED BY Bayer AG Alfred-Nobel-Straße Monheim am Rhein, Germany beecare@bayer.com The Bee Care Centers enable us to engage with diverse stakeholders on bee health and bee safety-related topics. Opened in June 2012, the Bayer Bee Care Center in Monheim, Germany, is based on the same site as Bayer s Crop Science Division and Animal Health Business Unit. This allows us to bring together our resources, knowledge and experience on sustainable agriculture and pollinator health. North American Bayer Bee Care Center in Raleigh, USA Inaugurated in April 2014, the North American Bee Care Center in Raleigh, USA, features a workshop and honey extraction room, interactive learning displays and presentation rooms, as well as laboratory facilities for scientific research. Outside there is an apiary complete with a teaching hive, solar panels and a large pollinator garden. Complementary, dedicated field technology stations are designed to ensure that Bayer s research efforts meet the state-of-the-art standards of North American beekeeping. LAYOUT AND ARTWORK ageko. agentur für gestaltete kommunikation PRINTING HH Print Management Deutschland GmbH ILLUSTRATIONS ageko: pages 3, 5 shutterstock: page 5 PHOTOS fotolia: Cover (bee), page 8 istock: Cover (right above) Bayer: Cover (left), pages 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 (left), 12, 13, 14, 15 shutterstock: pages 2, 5, 7 Fraunhofer: pages 10 (right), Bayer Bee Care Program Bayer Bee Care Program 15

9 Pollinators need us. Let s join forces! Stay up-to-date on the latest bee health news, research and developments, provided by our experts and research partners around the world: Print compensated Id-No Science For A Better Life

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