Bees from Friends of the Earth Malta today "buzzed" delegates at the Commonwealth People's Forum held in St Julian's Bay, Malta, to launch a major report on reversing the decline of bees and other beneficial pollinating creatures.

The report, 'Bees and Pollinators: A Commonwealth Concern,' showing how Commonwealth nations and organisations can help reverse the decline of bee and pollinators, was launched at a meeting of delegates at the Commonwealth People's Forum (CPF) organised by Friends of the Earth Malta with the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC).

Friends of the Earth Malta Director, Martin Galea De Giovanni, said, "Bees are in trouble and without them pollinating crops we would have less quality food to eat every day. Bees perform pollination other crops and wild plants we also use for medicines, materials and to feed livestock. It makes no sense to put bees and pollinators out of business."

"Today's report and launch event shows how Malta and other Commonwealth nations can start to play a full role in ensuring these vital creatures do not just survive but thrive."

He added that, "Malta is the perfect place to highlight the plight of bees and pollinators. The name of the islands comes from the Greek word 'meli,' meaning 'honey,' Malta has a special type of honey bee that is found only here. And the wild bees here are also vital for maintaining the range of plants and quality of crops grown here."

Martin Galea De Giovanni concluded that "Bee and pollinator decline is a growing concern here and globally. With the Commonwealth coming to Malta this week, it is the perfect place to talk with people from across the Commonwealth – from Asia, Africa and Europe to the Caribbean, the Americas and the Pacific – about how they can also help boost bees and protect pollinators."

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