The Importance Of Organic Honey and Pollination
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Honey has long been revered for its natural sweetness, nutritional benefits, and medicinal properties. But not all honey is created equal. Organic honey, which comes from bees that forage in pesticide-free environments, is the purest form of this ancient superfood. However, despite the UK’s growing demand for organic produce, organic honey is not available from UK sources. The reason? The widespread use of chemical pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids and glyphosate, which contaminate the environment and threaten pollinators.
Why Organic Honey Matters
Organic honey is free from synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, and contaminants found in conventionally produced honey. It retains the beneficial enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties that raw honey is known for. Studies show that organic honey has higher levels of polyphenols, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
Additionally, bees producing organic honey must forage in areas that are at least three miles from any industrial farming or pesticide use—making it nearly impossible to produce organic honey in the UK, where pesticides are used extensively in modern agriculture.
The Devastating Impact of Pesticides on Bees
The UK’s overuse of chemical pesticides has had catastrophic consequences for pollinators. Bees, which are essential for pollinating over 70% of the UK’s crops, are under severe threat from neonicotinoids, glyphosate, and other agrochemicals.
Factual Data on Bee Decline • The UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s, reducing vital bee forage areas. • According to the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, populations of wild bees and hoverflies have declined by up to 33% since 1980. • A University of Sussex study found that glyphosate disrupts gut bacteria in bees, making them more vulnerable to disease and reducing colony survival. • The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that all three major neonicotinoids pose a high risk to bees, leading to an EU-wide ban in 2018—yet the UK has continued issuing emergency authorizations for their use.
If the UK’s pollinator decline continues at this rate, food security will be in grave danger. Bees contribute £690 million annually to the UK economy through pollination, ensuring the availability of essential crops such as apples, strawberries, and rapeseed. Without bees, the cost of pollination would have to be covered by artificial methods, leading to higher food prices and reduced crop yields.
Net Zero Foods: Fighting to Bring Back Organic Honey to the UK
Net Zero Foods, a UK-based advocacy group, is actively campaigning for the return of organic honey production by pushing for stronger restrictions on harmful pesticides and promoting organic and regenerative farming practices.
Their goals include: • Banning glyphosate and remaining neonicotinoids to create a pesticide-free environment for bees. • Encouraging farmers to transition to organic practices, reducing chemical reliance and supporting biodiversity. • Rewilding initiatives to restore wildflower meadows and hedgerows, providing bees with safe forage areas. • Lobbying the UK government to align with the EU’s stronger pollinator protection policies.
By reducing pesticide use and supporting responsible, organic farming, the UK has a chance to rebuild its pollinator populations and bring back a truly organic honey industry. Without immediate action, the UK risks further endangering its food security, biodiversity, and agricultural sustainability.
Now is the time to demand change. The future of our food supply depends on it.
Published By: Net Zero Foods
Written By: Pascal Du Bois
Published on: Mar 01, 2025
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