FARMERS have been warned that they could face heavy fines and compensation orders if they accidentally destroy honey bees while spraying crops with pesticides.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has urged producers to obey the Government code of spray safety and protect foraging bees.
The bees make a vital contribution to boosting farm crop growth and maintaining the general well-being of the rural environment.
Farmers are legally required to give local beekeepers' associations at least 48 hours' notice before using pesticides - including insecticides and herbicides - on their land, says the CLA.
It is also calling for regular meetings between the two groups to encourage improved communications about crop spraying activities.
Producers are also urged to follow all the requirements of the environment protection instructions on pesticide container labels to the last letter.
The CLA says that the destruction of bees resulting from careless spraying can seriously reduce the yields of crops, such as rape.
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