Vanishing of the Bees
The honeybee is responsible for pollinating one third of our food. This contributes approximately £200 million per year to the UK economy. Honeybees are dying in their millions and no-one knows why.
In the UK around one third of all hives were lost in the winter of 2008. The collapse of the Earth’s pollinators is now examined through the eyes of those whose lives depend on them and the shocking truths behind the declining bee population are revealed.
Following the success of Burma VJ which opened in cinemas on 17th July, Vanishing of the Bees is the second title to be released by The Co-operative and Dogwoof, whose partnership was announced at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to help socially conscious films reach mainstream cinema audiences.
Vanishing of the Bees explores the mysterious collapse of the bee population across the planet and its greater meaning about mankind’s relationship with the natural world.
The film journeys through the US, Europe and Australia over a period of more than two years, providing a fascinating insight into the tragedy mounting as these crucial pollinators continue to disappear mysteriously and en masse.
Conflicting opinions and heated controversy abounds surrounding the cause behind the phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Is it a virus at the heart of this ecological disaster? Is it parasites? Is it pesticides? Or is it due to a symptom of changes in agricultural practice?
The film explores the issue with the help of beekeepers, scientists and policymakers and attempts to unravel the numerous theories behind the mysterious cause of CCD and its devastating impact on the population of the honeybee.
One of the main theories explored by the film indicates that pesticides may be a cause of the decline in bee numbers. Earlier this year The Co-operative Group became the first UK retailer to prohibit the use, on own-brand fresh and frozen produce, a group of eight pesticides as part of its 'Plan Bee' campaign, a ten-point plan designed to help reverse the decline in the UK honeybee population.
Paul Monaghan, Head of Social Goals at The Co-operative said: "The Co-operative Group has been working with its suppliers since 2001 to reduce pesticide use and already has a market-leading Pesticide Policy, which prohibits the use of 106 pesticides.
"We believe that the recent losses in bee populations need definitive action and as a result are temporarily prohibiting the eight neonicotinoids pesticides until we have evidence that refutes their involvement in the decline.
"Awareness raising and education are crucial factors in Plan Bee and that is why we are enthusiastically embracing Vanishing of the Bees which so graphically highlights the global decline in bee populations and the possible reasons behind the collapse."
Vanishing of the Bees celebrates the ancient relationship between humans and bees whilst highlighting mankind’s reliance on the honeybee as the cornerstone of modern agriculture. For thousands of years, bees have served as symbols of unity, industriousness and what it means to work for the greater good.
In keeping with this historic connection, the aim of the film is to provide tangible solutions and inspire audiences to make the changes we want to see in our world for the good of mankind, honeybees and all life on Earth.
Vanishing of the Bees will be released in cinemas by The Co-operative and Dogwoof on 9th October 2009.