Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Recognizes National Pollinator Week

The Declining Population of Pollinators, Such as the Honey Bee, Have a Direct Impact on the World’s Ability to Produce Food

Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recognize the important role pollinators play in the production of food and the viability of natural ecosystems during National Pollinator Week, June 20 through 26.

“Raising public awareness about the vital role that pollinators, particularly the honey bee, play in Florida agriculture remains a division priority,” said Richard Gaskalla, Director of the Division of Plant Industry at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “When you consider the statistics about how pollination is directly linked to successful food production, it is clear that the health of pollinators should be protected and their vast contribution to agriculture acknowledged.”

Pollinators, including the highly productive honey bee, support the production of one third of the food humans eat. Pollinators also provide food for wildlife, ensure full harvest of crops and contribute to healthy plant ecosystems.

Other notable facts about pollinators include:

·         Worldwide, approximately 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines need to be pollinated by animals to produce the goods on which we depend.
·         Foods and beverages produced with the help of pollinators include blueberries, chocolate, coffee, melons, peaches, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins, vanilla and almonds.
·         75% of all flowering plants rely on animal pollinators including hummingbirds, bats, butterflies and the honey bee.
·         Honey bees pollinate an estimated $16.6 billion, or 85%, of U.S. crops annually.
·         Florida crops pollinated by honey bees have a $3.3 billion economic impact and produce $192 million in tax revenues.

Some plants and single pollinator species are interdependent. Should one decline in population, it will lead to the disappearance of the plant or species that depends on the other’s presence to survive.

In recent years, honey bee populations have declined dramatically due to a condition called colony collapse disorder. Scientists worldwide are investigating these occurrences to determine the cause. Preliminary reports indicate that the cause may involve a combination of factors, including pests, diseases and environmental stressors.

Unfortunately, it took a catastrophic situation such as colony collapse disorder to raise awareness about the important role that honey bees and other pollinators play in our ability to produce food.

Pollinators are essential partners of Florida farmers and ranchers and the maintenance of healthy pollinator populations is critical to the continued economic well-being of Florida agriculture. Florida’s agricultural producers, wildlife advocates, gardeners and the American consumer must work together to help ensure a healthy, sustainable pollinator and beneficial plant population. 

To learn more about pollinators or locate a local honey bee organization, visit www.freshfromflorida.com/pi. For more information about the Department, visit www.freshfromflorida.com or follow Commissioner Putnam on Facebook, www.facebook.com/adamputnam, or Twitter, @adamputnam.

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