House adopts Matzie’s ‘Pollinator Week’ resolution

Highlights importance of bees, other pollinators and beekeepers to state’s food supply

Rep. Robert Matzie    June 12, 2024 | 1:58 PM

HARRISBURG, June 12 – The PA House today adopted state Rep. Rob Matzie’s H.R. 400 – designating the week of June 17 to June 23, 2024, as “Pollinator Week” in Pennsylvania –  to highlight the essential role bees and other pollinators play in producing the commonwealth’s foods and sustaining the health of the environment.

Matzie, D-Beaver, said he introduced the resolution to call attention to the importance of pollinators; the essential role played by the state’s beekeepers; and the value of collaborative efforts by state, educational and industry partners.

“It’s estimated that by pollinating most crops and wildflowers, bees are responsible for one out of every three bites of food we eat – from fruits and vegetables to chocolate, coffee and nuts,” Matzie said. “They also play an essential role in maintaining the health of our environment – including our forests, grasslands and local ecosystems – by promoting floral growth that creates habitats for animals and insects.

“Beekeepers play an essential role in all of this by ensuring that bee colonies remain healthy and disease-free.”

Matzie said there are also critical collaborative efforts at work.

“The Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association works with the state Department of Agriculture, which registers and regulates each apiary, and with state universities like the Penn State Cooperative Extension and Delaware Valley University to promote education and best practices and to support projects and grants. The state also plays a key role through enforcement of the Bee Law and management of wildlife habitats and public lands.

“It’s a great partnership of human effort supporting nature in ways that sustain our food supply, support our environment and boost our economy.”

The text of the Bee Law is available here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=03&div=0&chpt=21