The House Wednesday unanimously adopted a resolution-- House Resolution 971 (Matzie-D- Beaver)-- recognizing the week of June 18 to June 24 as Pollinator Week in Pennsylvania.

The resolution recognizes the significant role pollinators such as honey bees play in the production of the state’s food supply. The resolution also recognizes the important work of beekeepers and other groups that promote pollination.

“Bees and other pollinators are a critical link in our ecosystem,” Rep. Rob Matzie said. “Assisted by the efforts of beekeepers and other groups that promote pollination, they produce about one-third of all foods and beverages, including so many of the foods we take for granted. Honey bees alone account for between $1.2 billion and $5.4 billion in U.S. agricultural productivity.”

Rep. Matzie noted that according to Pollinator Partnership-- a nonprofit group that promotes and protects pollinators and their ecosystems-- pollinators serve more than 180,000 different plant species and more than 1,200 crops, adding $217 billion to the global economy.

They also promote healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize the soil, protect crops from severe weather and support other wildlife.

In addition to the work of Pollinator Partnership, the resolution recognizes the efforts of the Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association, the Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension and the Delaware Valley College for their collective work on processes that promote pollination and beekeeping.

The text of the resolution follows--

A RESOLUTION

Designating the week of June 18 through 24, 2018, as "Pollinator Week" in Pennsylvania

WHEREAS, Pollinator species such as birds and insects, including bees, are essential partners of farmers and ranchers in producing much of our food supply; and

WHEREAS, Pollination plays a vital role in the health of our national forests and grasslands, which provide forage, fish and wildlife, timber, water, mineral resources and recreational opportunities as well as enhanced economic development opportunities for communities; and

WHEREAS, Pollinator species, including bees, provide significant environmental benefits that are necessary for maintaining healthy, biodiverse ecosystems; and

WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has managed wildlife habitats and public lands, including forests and grasslands, for decades; and

WHEREAS, The Bee Law, which appears in Chapter 21 of Title 3 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, and other laws and regulations provide producers with conservation assistance to promote wise conservation stewardship, including the protection and maintenance of pollinators and their habitats on working lands and wildlands, and, through the Department of Agriculture, register and regulate each apiary; and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association works with the Department of Agriculture to promote pollination, beekeeping and the production of honey; and

WHEREAS, Among its activities, the association:

(1)  Produces a newsletter 10 times per year.

(2)  Meets twice yearly to conduct business.

(3)  Operates a booth at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and Ag Progress Days to promote honey and beekeeping.

(4)  Maintains an education program to inspire new beekeepers and continues to investigate avenues to provide information to more accomplished beekeepers.

(5)  Supports Delaware Valley University and The Pennsylvania State University in projects, staff and grant requests that further research and continually promote beekeeping.

(6)  Operates the Honey Queen Program to promote honey and provide beekeepers across this Commonwealth with a resource person to assist in promoting honey in local areas; and

WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership is a nonprofit organization that protects the health of managed and native  pollinating animals vital to North American ecosystems and agriculture; and

WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership collaborates with stakeholders who manage or influence landscapes to do a better job of sharing the landscape with pollinators; and

WHEREAS, The Pollinator Partnership's mission is to protect pollinators critical to food and ecosystems through conservation, education and research which includes "National Pollinator Week," the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign and ecoregional planting guides; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the week of June 18 through 24, 2018, as "Pollinator Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Delaware Valley University and the Department of Agriculture for their cooperative efforts to promote pollination, beekeeping and the production of honey; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the efforts of the Pollinator Partnership to annually observe "National Pollinator Week"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Governor to issue a proclamation urging all residents to recognize this observance; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association and the Pollinator Partnership.

For more information on pollinators and supporting pollinators, visit Penn State’s Center for Pollinator Research webpage.

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Pollinator Population Is Going Down In PA Due To Pesticides, Parasites And Pathogens

[Posted: June 15, 2018]

6/18/2018