LJUBLJANA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Agriculture officials from 22 countries and regions pledged at a FAO-supported conference in Slovenia on Saturday to strengthen cooperation in efforts to protect bees and other pollinators, raise public awareness and exchange bee-keeping practices.
The international conference at Mansion Brdo pri Kranju near Ljubljana, marking the first observance of World Bee Day on May 20, discussed the importance of pollinators for sustainable farming and food security.
Head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Jose Graziano da Silva and EU Commissioner for Environment Karmenu Vella underlined the significance of studies and measures to prevent and control diseases and pests, according to the Slovenian Press Agency.
They also stressed the necessity of future implementation of measures to mitigate climate change, which also affects the changing living conditions of bees.
The participants expressed their concern over the endangerment of bees and other pollinators, both from the perspective of diversity as well as their numbers.
They said that the main reason for this is human activity, particularly intensive agriculture and the application of certain plant protection products.
Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar and Agriculture and Food Minister Dejan Zidan stressed the urgent need to transition from words to action as pollinator numbers are shrinking.
Zidan, who spearheaded Slovenia's efforts to have May 20 declared World Bee Day, said that "pollinator-independent agricultural production doubled in the last 50 years, while pollinator-dependent production quadrupled".
"By conserving bees, we are not just protecting the environment and biodiversity, but significantly contributing to abolishing famine and poverty around the world, mainly in developing countries," added Zidan.
The conference was part of three-day celebrations of the first ever World Bee Day in Slovenia, which will last until Sunday with another significant ceremony to be hosted by Slovenian President Boruto Pahor.
