Pollinators in Agriculture

Interactions between pollinators and agriculture have generated considerable recent research interest, stimulated by increasing recognition of the importance of insect pollination in maintaining yields of some crops, coupled with evidence that many species of pollinating insects have declined substantially. In particular, the impact of agronomic practice on pollinator success and, specifically, the impact of pesticide use on honey bees and other bees, has become a subject of public and political interest. The 2013 EU decision to suspend the use of a number of neonicotinoid insecticides has boosted research on pollinator exposure to insecticides and the potential for sublethal effects. Furthermore, whilst the importance of pollinators in agriculture is well documented, considerable gaps still exist in our understanding of pollinator ecology, pathology and population dynamics. This conference aims to bring together experts from a number of fields to explore and debate the latest research.

Topics will include:

• Effects of insect pollinators on crop yield and quality
• Value of pollination services
• Changes in pollinator diversity and abundance
• Predators, parasites and pathogens of pollinators
• Impacts of changes in land use and floral resources on pollinator populations and diversity
• Evidence regarding insecticide impacts on pollinators
• Exposure of pollinators to pesticide residues
• Relative importance of factors affecting population changes
• Mitigation of adverse impacts

Confirmed speakers are:

• Dr Christian Maus (Bayer CropScience)
• Dr Tjeerd Blacquière (University of Wageningen)
• Dr Robert Luttik (EFSA)
• Prof Simon Potts (University of Reading)
• Prof Robert Paxton (University of Halle-Wittenburg)

The conference will be of interest to researchers, policy makers, agricultural land managers, bee keepers, advisers and students of agriculture and environmental land management.