DEAR SIR:

I have been an avid beekeeper since 2010.

A couple of months ago I carried out my spring inspections. One of my apiaries is located in a sheltered little valley where sheep graze. I had two overwintered hives there.

As I opened them gingerly (spring inspections are always a big anticipation), I was joyed to see both hives blistering, overflowing with bees.

They’ve been keeping me on my toes since, filling supers (honey boxes).

Another apiary is adjacent to a few fields of barley. Of the 12 hives I had there, nine were dead or died later.

My suspicion is that this is more than a coincidence.

I asked the farmer what he sprays on his crop and was told it is a fungicide. Whatever it is, I don’t think it agrees with my bees.

My fascination with our little pollinating pals may make me prejudiced against any man-made chemical that could cause them harm but I’m practical too and appreciate that our growing global population has to be fed efficiently.

This letter is an appeal to farmers to spare a thought to the bees. Spray early morning or late evening where possible.

The world would be a horrible place without them. Tiny steps.