Supply chains at risk as wild pollinators decline

Published by  News Archive

On 13th Apr 2018

Companies face potential shortages of raw materials, a fall in crop quality and challenges around security of supply because of an emerging pollination deficit – according to new research involving the University of East Anglia.

Around three quarters of food crops depend on pollination, making pollinators worth up to US$577 billion annually, of which half comes from wild pollinators.

But pollinator populations are declining rapidly, with more than a third of wild bee and butterfly species facing local extinction.

A new report funded by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative surveyed eight blue chip companies including Asda, The Body Shop, Mars and Pepsico.

It found many reported they were unable to take action because of uncertainty around which crops and sourcing regions were vulnerable to pollinator decline.

The team also assessed the vulnerability of the top 15 pollinator-dependent food crops. Preliminary results suggested that these crops are vulnerable to pollinator decline, with cocoa being particularly at risk. 

Dr Lynn Dicks from UEA’s School of Biological Sciences, said: “Pollinator decline is a serious issue for crops where wild pollinators are important to production and can’t easily be replaced, because managed bees can’t do the job, or the need for them isn’t widely recognised.

“Our analysis reveals a concerning lack of knowledge about the status of agricultural pollination and its replaceability in large parts of the world, despite its clear importance to production of some highly valued ingredients.”  

“Less than half the companies sampled know which of the raw materials they source depend on pollinators,” said Gemma Cranston, director of Natural Capital at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

“Their supply chains could be at risk and need additional research to identify where opportunities exist to reverse current trends.”

Jos van Oostrum, director of Sustainable Solutions at Mars Incorporated, said: “The role pollinators play – be it tiny midges for cocoa or squirrels for coconut – is not well understood and can be taken for granted. 

“It is of critical importance we understand their lifecycles, and the habitat and conditions which enable them to thrive. This does not only help safeguard productivity of the crops we depend on, but it could also help establish ways to boost their yield potential.”

One of the key solutions for more sustainable supply chains is certification schemes. A review of nine such programs showed some action is being taken, particularly to reduce pesticide use and encourage habitat restoration, but more could be done. 

Francesca Brkic, international sustainable sourcing manager at the Body Shop, said: “The importance of pollination for natural raw materials is increasingly a priority for us. We are analysing the importance of pollination within our business to understand how we must act. Bees are very important to us and we recognise the positive impact that comes out of sustainable trade to supply chains that depend on pollinators as well as communities who produce honey and beeswax as an integral part of their livelihoods.”

The organisations involved in the project now hope to collaborate with industry, certification bodies, trade associations, governments and pollination experts to create a leadership group of companies and standard setting bodies committed to safeguarding pollinators.   

Annelisa Grigg, principal specialist, business and biodiversity, at the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), said: “We call on leading companies and standard setters to work with us to create a Partnership for Pollinators to collaborate to increase supply chain resilience.

“It is only by working in partnership in this way that we will be able to understand the full extent of the potential risks posed by pollinator decline to our vital agricultural supply chains and catalyse action to halt wild pollinator decline.” 

The project was a collaboration between the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and UEA.

‘The pollination deficit: Towards supply chain resilience in the face of pollinator decline’ is published on April 13.

Latest News

 
A group of friends drinking pints at a table.
26 May 2023

Heavy drinkers risk muscle loss, new study finds

Heavy drinkers could be putting themselves at risk of muscle loss and frailty in later life, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Read more >
 
A neonatal baby being held by its mother.
26 May 2023

Identifying the gut bacteria that threaten neonatal babies

Researchers from the Quadram Institute and University of East Anglia have identified what makes some strains of gut bacteria life-threatening in pre-term babies.

Read more >
 
Plastic garbage floating in the ocean.
23 May 2023

Uncovering the consequences of plastic pollution

Experts at the University of East Anglia have warned of the dangers of plastic pollution ahead of a UN meeting on the topic.

Read more >
 
A polling station sign.
15 May 2023

Enact electoral reforms worldwide to protect against future emergencies

Electoral reforms should be undertaken worldwide, drawing from elections held during the pandemic, to prepare for future emergency situations, according to new...

Read more >
Are you searching for something?
 
A polling station sign.
15 May 2023

Enact electoral reforms worldwide to protect against future emergencies

Electoral reforms should be undertaken worldwide, drawing from elections held during the pandemic, to prepare for future emergency situations, according to new...

Read more >
 
A mother talking to her toddler.
15 May 2023

How talking to toddlers boosts early brain development

Talking to toddlers helps shape their developing brain, according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Read more >
 
Seaweed
12 May 2023

New research project to help kickstart Norfolk seaweed industry

The Seaweed in East Anglia project aims to identify the steps needed to develop a successful seaweed industry in East Anglia, with a particular focus on Norfolk.

Read more >
 
A scientist inspects a petri dish of bacteria.
11 May 2023

How bacteria evolve resistance to antibiotics

Bacteria can rapidly evolve resistance to antibiotics by adapting special pumps to flush them out of their cells, according to new research from the Quadram...

Read more >
 
A doctor administering an MRI scan.
10 May 2023

The technology that can detect rapid pressure changes inside your heart

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have used cutting-edge imaging technology to measure acute pressure changes inside the heart.

Read more >
 
L-R: Laura and Kirstie Goodchild
09 May 2023

University of East Anglia student who suffered smell and taste disorders to speak at specialist symposium

A UEA student who suffered from both anosmia and parosmia, will speak about her experiences at a symposium aimed at furthering research and treatment for those...

Read more >
 
All seven of the UEA mathematicians
01 May 2023

British Applied Mathematics Colloquium

Well done to all seven of the UEA mathematicians who delivered talks at this years British Applied Mathematics Colloquium in Bristol (BAMC). 

Read more >