No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaProtecting Costa Rica's Bees: Urgent Action Needed

Protecting Costa Rica’s Bees: Urgent Action Needed

On World Bee Day, the Costa Rican environmental organization Bloque Verde issued a crucial call for action, demanding greater protection for bees.

These invaluable insects are facing a grave threat from toxic products such as fipronil and neonicotinoids, which have caused extensive intoxications, resulting in the loss of millions of bees, irreparable damage to biodiversity, and contamination of ecosystems. Alarming statistics reveal a significant decline in bee populations, with the potential of Costa Rica running out of bees by 2035 if the current rate persists.

It is imperative that immediate measures be taken to safeguard these vital pollinators and the environment they sustain.

The Toll on Bee Population and Ecosystems

According to the National Beekeeping Promotion Chamber, the Los Santos area alone witnessed the loss of 2,200 hives between 2010 and 2020. Shockingly, approximately 30 major bee poisonings were recorded during this period, resulting in the death of around 100 million bees.

Such devastating losses not only harm bee populations but also have far-reaching consequences for the delicate balance of ecosystems. Bees play a critical role in pollinating various crops, including avocado, chayote, coffee, tomato, melon, and watermelon, ensuring food security and supporting the livelihoods of 1,500 families engaged in beekeeping nationwide.

The Need to Ban Fipronil and Neonicotinoids

Fipronil, known to be highly hazardous to bees, insects, and agricultural ecosystems, has already been banned in over 30 countries, including the European Union. However, in Costa Rica, its use in agriculture remains unrestricted despite the severe ecological and economic consequences.

In 2019, the Constitutional Chamber directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) to conduct a scientific study on the effects of agrochemicals containing neonicotinoids, further highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Even with subsequent recommendations from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Livestock (MAG) and Environment and Energy (MINAE) to prohibit the use of Fipronil, Executive Decree No. 43767-S-MINAE issued by the current government in November 2022 fell short by only banning its industrial use.

The Value of Bees and the Responsibility to Act

Costa Rica boasts a rich diversity of more than 650 bee species, including 58 native stingless bee species, as confirmed by the Tropical Bee Research Center (CINAT) and the National University (UNA).

These bees are vital for conserving tropical ecosystems, ensuring pollination of a wide range of plants, and maintaining food security. Recognizing the importance of beekeeping, Costa Rica has declared it as a matter of ‘public interest’ and established National Bee Day. Therefore, the country has a moral and legal obligation to take swift action to protect bees and the environment they contribute to.

Final Thoughts

The decline in global bee populations is a cause for grave concern, demanding immediate attention. Costa Rica, renowned for its commitment to environmental preservation, must lead by example and prioritize the protection of bees.

The banning of fipronil and neonicotinoids in all forms, including agricultural use, is crucial to halt the destructive impact on bees, ecosystems, and food security.

As a nation that values beekeeping and acknowledges its significance, Costa Rica must take bold steps to safeguard this vital species and ensure a sustainable future for both bees and humans alike. Together, we can create an environment where bees can thrive, fostering the prosperity of our ecosystems and our nation.

Trending Now

Good Timing Leads to Rare Snake Encounter in Costa Rica

When it comes to viewing wildlife in person, timing is everything. There’s a great big world out there and the chances of you being...

El Salvador NGO Flees to Guatemala as Bukele Intensifies Crackdown on Critics

The prestigious NGO Cristosal, which investigates corruption cases and denounces human rights violations in El Salvador, announced Thursday that it has been forced into...

Costa Rica Police Uncover Second Cyanide-Laced Mining Operation in Crucitas

The environmental crisis in Crucitas persists. Police discovered and dismantled an artisanal mining material processing plant in a wooded area of Tatú Hill in Crucitas,...

Quiet Force, Loud Legacy: Jannik Sinner Beats Alcaraz for First Wimbledon Title

Jannik Sinner is the quiet man of tennis who has become a big noise, burnishing his legacy on Sunday by winning his first Wimbledon...

Dominical to Quepos: The Costa Rican Road That Took 30 Years to Finish

The original Pan-American Highway heading south from San José once took a dramatic and daunting route. It passed through the old capital of Cartago...

Former Costa Rican Minister Indicted in US on Drug Trafficking Charges

Celso Manuel Gamboa Sánchez, once a top Costa Rican security minister and judge, now sits in a maximum-security prison cell awaiting possible extradition to...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica