The government is being urged to commission research into the effects some pesticides may be having on nature’s most efficient pollinator after a new film from The Co-operative.

A new feature film, Vanishing of the Bees, which is being supported by The Co-operative in conjunction with distributor Dogwoof, premiered this week.

It explores the mysterious disappearance of bees across the planet and the fact that no one knows why their numbers are falling so rapidly.

Viewers are being asked to write to DEFRA minister Hilary Benn calling on him to fund research into the neonicotinoid family of chemicals which have been implicated in honeybee colony collapse.

Paul Monaghan, head of social goals at The Co-operative, said: “The alarming drop in the number of honeybees and in turn the threat that has on our food supplies is very worrying and it is essential we discover what is happening and quickly.

“The finger of suspicion has been pointed at some pesticides and in particular, the use of neonicotinoids. This family of chemicals has been linked to honeybee declines elsewhere in Europe and that is why they have been restricted in Germany, France, Italy and Slovenia. However, very little independent research into their effects on bees has been carried out in the UK.

“That is why we are calling for the government, which earlier this year announced that it had put aside £10 million to be used on pollinator research, to carry out a systematic review of the impact these pesticides are having on the well being of honeybees.”

Vanishing of the Bees is the latest development in The Co-operative’s Plan Bee campaign designed to help halt the fall in the number of honeybees and raise awareness of the issue. It tells the story of the worldwide decline in bee populations and explores the potential causes behind the losses.

Earlier this year as part of Plan Bee, The Co-operative announced that it was expanding its market-leading pesticide policy and temporarily prohibiting the use of all eight of the neonicotinoid family of chemicals on its own-brand fresh produce.

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