The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has released a new implementation plan for its National Pollinator Strategy for England. The National Pollinator Strategy, produced in 2014, sets out a 10 year plan to help the 1500 or so pollinating insect species in England. The National Pollinator Strategy implementation plan 2018-2021 sets out how the actions to improve the status of England’s pollinating insects detailed in the National Pollinator Strategy will be delivered, as well as how progress will be monitored.
The actions were developed in consultation with the Pollinator Advisory Steering Group (PASG), under four ‘action areas’:
• Strengthening the evidence base
• Managing our land
• Bee health
• Engaging people
Many of the actions detailed in the new implementation plan are well underway, continued or updated from those in the previous implementation plan, published in 2015. Other proposed actions are new, reflecting progress made and needs identified since the National Pollinator Strategy for England was first published.
The 2016 progress report details the progress made between 2014 and 2016. A further 5 year review of the strategy is due to be undertaken in 2019.
The devolved administrations of other British countries have also produced Pollinator Strategies. These documents are available online as digital downloads:
Wales’ Action Plan for Pollinators was published in 2013 and updated last year.
The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 was issued in 2015.
Scotland’s Pollinator Strategy 2017-27 was published in 2017.
