>The debate raises the wider question of how valuable bees, and other
pollinators, are to our agricultural economy. Can we really afford to allow
the decline of bees continue? Can you even put a financial value on the
"environmental service" provided by bees?

This is the crux of the matter.  It is not just bees - it is pollinators and
other insects in general.  But it goes beyond that.  Insects feed birds -
even fish -  etc. We destroy links in the food chain at our peril - after
all, we are at the top of it.

Best wishes

Peter

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