Matthew praised local residents' work to save the Buff-tailed Bumblebee - the area's 'iconic' bee. Bee-lovers have taken over 15,955 actions to save bees in Greater London as part of Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause campaign. Actions include planting bee friendly seeds, signing petitions and building ‘bee hotels’ to replace lost natural habitat.
A new University of Reading report identifies parts of Greater London as of key importance to the Buff-tailed Bumblebee and highlights the issue of habitat loss in the decline of bees across the region.
Matthew said: “The issue of declining bee numbers is something that many constituents have raised with me. Pardon the pun, but I never thought bees would create such a buzz. Bees are vital to our food supply, green spaces and economy, but they are in trouble. One of my neighbours has advised me about planting flowers which attract bees and I am pleased to play my part in helping to sustain bee numbers in the Hendon constituency. We can all assist by planting such flowers that will help the Buff-tailed Bumblebee. I’m also asking the Government to introduce a Bee Action Plan to tackle all major causes of bee decline.”
Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns, Andrew Pendleton, commended Matthew for listening to people in Hendon and pledging to help save bees, especially the Buff-tailed Bumblebee.