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.

More from Bitesize News

ICRC neutrality important

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross says Switzerland and the Geneva-based humanitarian body should keep their neutralities distinct
Cyclists fined

Gendarmes and municipal police handed out 135-euro fines to cyclists caught ignoring a road closure along Lake Annecy this weekend
Swiss football captain banned from training camp

Switzerland's football captain Granit Xhaka has admitted procuring a fake Covid vaccination certificate and will miss the next four Nations League matches
Price change for homeowners with solar panels

Swiss households with solar panels face a significant change from 1 January
AI not recommended in the mountains

Swiss mountain guides are sounding the alarm over hikers using ChatGPT and similar tools to plan trips into the Alps.
Geneva airport travel landmark

For the first time in Geneva Airport's history, more passengers are flying to and from China than to and from the United States