The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 for farmland is an island-wide approach to tackle the growing decline of pollinators.

The plan is supported by over 80 government and non-government organisations.

Most insect pollination carried out in Ireland is done by bees. In Ireland, there is one species of managed honeybee and a further 97 species of wild bees.

Bees are important for the pollination of oilseed rape, peas, beans, apples and soft fruit. They are also responsible for the pollination of some wildflowers and trees. In order for pollinators to survive, they need food, shelter and safety.

With the reduction in wildflowers around the countryside, there is a reduction in the amount of food, provided in the way of pollen. Bees need to be able to feed on a range of different flowers from March through to October to survive and are most likely to starve in the springtime.

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has set out five actions for bee-friendly farming.

1 Maintain native flowering hedgerows

One of the easiest decisions that a farmer can make is to allow your hedgerows to flower, providing food and shelter for bees.

If possible, cut hedgerows on a minimum three-year cycle. Where hedges are cut annually, it will prevent flowering and fruiting. It is also advised that the hedgerows are cut in rotation rather than all at once as this will ensure that some areas of the hedgerow will always be flowering. It is also advised that at least one mature whitethorn/blackthorn tree remains within each hedge. Hedges managed for pollinators should ideally be cut between November and January.

The hedgerow should be at least 2.5m in height and should be trimmed into an A-shape.

2 Allow wildflowers to grow

This aspect mainly relates to the management of non-farmed areas. Similar to hedgerows, one of the best pieces of advice is to allow wildflowers to flower. Cut these flowers only once a year in the autumn, after flowering, and remove the toppings. Do not spray or fertilise this area and if managed well it will gradually become flower-rich. If noxious weeds have to be controlled in these areas then pull or use spot treatments. The plan asks farmers to carry out these actions on the non-farmed areas such as farmyards, farm laneways, field margins, arable margins, watercourse margins and field corners.

3 Provide nesting places for wild bees

Nests can be easily provided for bumblebees, mining solitary bees and cavity-nesting solitary bees without any major expense.

Bumblebees nest in long or tussocky grass so it is advised to leave grass long at the base of hedgerows, along lanes or in field margins and corners uncut from March until October. Bumblebee colonies will die off in October/November so it is okay to cut these areas in late autumn/winter.

Mining solitary bees nest by making tiny burrows in bare earth, be it soil, sand, clay or peat. Where there is exposed bare earth at the base of a hedgerow which is facing south or east, then allow these areas to remain. Otherwise during the winter create new earth banks elsewhere by scraping away the top layer of soil.

Cavity-nesting solitary bees will make nests in existing cavities in south-facing stone walls, masonry or wooden structures. A farmer can provide these habitats by drilling a small south- or east-facing hole in wooden fences or concrete structures. Alternatively, bee boxes can be made by drilling holes in untreated wooden blocks and hanging them outside.

4 Minimise artificial fertiliser use

Most wildflowers will thrive on lower-fertility soils. Keep fertilisers away from non-farmed areas to encourage wildflower. Ensure accuracy in spreading fertilisers and avoid spreading close to the base of hedgerows or margins as fertiliser here prevents the growth of pollinator-friendly wildflowers. The addition of clover to seed mixtures is a good way to reduce the volume of artificial fertiliser that is required. Clovers provide an excellent food source for pollinators if left to flower.

5 Reduce pesticide inputs

For herbicides, it is recommended that farmers avoid spraying close to the base of hedgerows and if necessary these areas should be strimmed or mowed instead. Herbicides can greatly reduce the amount of wildflowers, which pollinators depend on for food. Farmers should also try to avoid spraying non-farmed areas where wildflowers could grow. Insecticides can harm pollinators directly, killing them outright in some cases. Spray pesticides only in calm weather using low-drift nozzles.

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