EU bans three pesticides linked to bee death

Irish beekeepers have welcomed an EU ban on three pesticides which are being blamed for the deaths of millions of bees worldwide.

Aside from honey production, honey bees are a vital part of global food production as they pollinate about one third of the world’s food — increasing its yield as much as threefold.

It is estimated that insect pollination, over two thirds of which is done by honey bees, is worth €153bn per annum globally.