More protection for bees demanded

Thursday, 5 March 2026 06:30

Swiss beekeepers are launching a popular initiative to anchor stronger protection for native pollinating insects in the Federal Constitution.

The umbrella group Apisuisse will begin collecting signatures on May 20, World Bee Day.

Its president, Martin Schwegler, says current federal funding of CHF 3m iis too low given the insects’ economic importance.

Nearly half of wild bee species are threatened or already extinct.

The initiative focuses on incentives and cooperation, stressing that more than 80 percent of flowering plants depend on pollinators.

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