Protecting the important role in life of the bee

THE public have never been so aware of the importance of bees.

Schools and other organisations are planting trees and plants to help these insects that play such an important part in the continuance of all life.

Sadly, it seems the Ilkley and District Angling Association, backed by the Salmon and Trout Association of West Yorkshire, are to join a war against one of the most useful plants for bees; a plant that compensates for the loss of native flowers due to modern farming practice.

Himalayan balsam is a flower of great beauty; it is harmless and a valuable source of food for pollinating insects but especially honey and bumble bees. It flowers until the early frosts, providing a much-needed supply of nectar to help colonies survive the winter. If the proposed war takes place and the idea catches on, it will be very serious for all bees, not just in Yorkshire. Life is difficult enough for the bees. The biggest threat to them is human beings, this being another instance.

For goodness sake leave their flowers alone; it does nothing for anglers’ conservation credibility.

Balsam is not an impenetrable barrier for anglers and it reduces bank erosion in flash summer floods.

I’ve been involved with river banks all my life and I can’t understand what their problem is. The rank grasses, docks and nettles balsam has replaced are as nothing to the nectar-producing qualities of this valuable plant.

Bees are important for survival; angling is a sport, nothing more. Hoping reason will prevail.