Care for bees: for many reasons and in many ways

Pollinating insects are in decline, probably worldwide. This may imply a pollination crisis, for (food) crops as well as wild plants. Eventually this decline might result in great economic losses, a human food crisis and loss of natural biodiversity. Although the world population of honeybee colonies still increases (despite decreases in many countries) it is urgently needed to take care for bees and other pollinators. Possible drivers for the decline of insect pollinators in general are (1) habitat loss and intensive land use, (2) globalization and introductions of foreign species, (3) pollution including pesticides, and (4) climate change. For honeybees in particular: (5) worldwide presence of the invasive parasitic mite Varroa destructor (as a consequence of [2]), (6) introduction and spread of other (new) parasites, (7) loss of the honeybee’s genetic diversity, and (8) detrimental beekeeping practices. Simultaneously the beekeeping sector in many countries is vanishing for demographical reasons and a lack of incentives for beekeeping. The Dutch beekeeping almost fully depends on hobbyists, which results in little professional education and the absence of a professional extension service. Nevertheless the beekeeping standard has to improve to help the beekeeping sector to cope with the upcoming challenges and to safeguard the need for pollination in professional agriculture