The honey bee, one of the world's most important pollinators, has evolved over the last 120 million years. It has taken less than 100 years of human interference to endanger their very existence. The majority of issues are a result of greed and the drive for increased profits from land use and the bees themselves. There is an urgent need for change.

• It is estimated that in the UK, we have only half the number of honey bees we had 20 years ago.
• The number of colonies that die over winter regularly exceeds 20%.
• Current beekeeping methods are compounding the problem.
• We have lost 97% of UK wildflower meadows in the last 60 years.
• The global movement of bees continues to result in non-native pests and disease introduction.
• The UK imports 85% of its honey. There are concerns on genetically modified pollen and heavy metal inclusions.
• Harmful pesticides, designed to disorientate and kill insects, are still in use and accumulating in the soil.
• Large, single crop farming techniques limit the variety of forage and amino acids available to the bee.
• More threats, such as the small hive beetle and the Asian hornet, are about to make matters worse.
  

Bees Before Profit is a charitable trust established in 2011, whose purpose is to ensure the future of the native honey bee and other pollinators through unbiased research, development and education. The trust links practical beekeeping experience with scientific research to drive improvements in beekeeping methods, equipment and land use.

The trust is in it's infancy and in need of immediate support to assist in bringing about urgent change. Please help.