FFC Calls For Action Over Honey Bee Die-Off

FFC, with other socially responsible investors representing more than $31 billion in assets under management, shares its concern over the environmental and economic implications of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Companies in the at-risk sectors of food producers and retailers and home improvement retailers are being asked to assess their risk from CCD or their products’ potential contribution to CCD. Honey bees are the most economically important pollinators globally, yet between 2006 and 2011; annual winter die-off reached an average of about 33 percent of total bee population. According to the U.S Department of Agriculture, “if losses continue at (this rate), it could threaten the economic viability of the bee pollination industry… increased costs would ultimately be passed on to consumers through higher food costs.” Considering that “[a]bout one mouthful in three in our diet directly or indirectly benefits from honey bee pollination,” FFC agrees with the USDA that the time for action is now. Recent science shows that even low doses of exposure to the class of pesticides called neonicotinoids compromise bee immunity against pathogens. With evidence suggesting that the three leading interacting factors contributing to CCD are pathogens, pesticides, and poor bee nutrition, we believe that the pesticide component of CCD offers a compelling point of intervention for at-risk companies. As diversified investors holding shares in companies dependent on pollinators at several points throughout their supply chains and home improvement retailers which may sell products contributing to the problem, we are encouraging these companies to be proactive by better understanding their exposure to the risks posed by CCD and identifying opportunities to reduce potential impacts. To learn more, click here for Food producers, click here for Food retailers and click here for Home improvement retailers.