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18 SEEDWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER 2015 A NATIONAL STRATEGY to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators released by the White House May 19 outlines a com- prehensive approach to tackle and reduce the multi- tude of stressors affecting pollinator heath. Pollinators are not only crucial to the nations food supply but its environmental and financial health. They are responsible for one in every three bites of food eaten by humans. And each year pollinators are responsible for increasing the value of the U.S. crop by more than 15 billion. Meanwhile nearly three-fourths of all native plants require pollination most often by an insect and usually that insect is a native bee. The White House outlined three goals for its national strategy 1. Reduce honeybee colony losses to economically sustainable levels. 2. Increase monarch butterfly numbers to protect the annual migration. 3. Restore or enhance millions of acres of land for pollinators through combined public and private action. To achieve these goals the strategy addresses pests and pathogens reduced habitat lack of nutri- tional resources and exposure to pesticides. Habitat and exposure to pesticides are two areas that have the most potential to impact the seed industry. With the exception of the past two years glob- ally pollinator health has been in serious decline for more than a decade. To help revive pollinator popula- tions the strategy is designed to not only promote the health of honeybees and other managed pollinating insects but also expands and adds to actions already being undertaken by federal departments and agencies to reverse pollinator losses and restore populations. The strategy focuses on expanding the conversation through enhanced public educa- tion and outreach as well as strong publicprivate partnerships. In its efforts the White House seeks to engage all segments of society to work together to increase pollinators. Pesticide Technologies Pesticides play a critical role in agricultural production and miti- gating the effects of pesticides on bees is a priority for the federal government as bee pollination and insect control are essential to the success of agriculture. Rick Keigwin director of the Environmental Protection Agencys Office of Pesticide Programs Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division says seed treatments and pesticide exposure are big components of the national pollinator strategy. SANDI KARSTENS grew up on a farm near Platte Center Neb. With a bachelors and a masters degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of Nebraska Lincoln Karstens has covered issues affecting agriculture for nearly 20 years. She lives in Lincoln and loves to travel preferably near an ocean. Reviving Pollinator Populations The White House releases a national strategy for improving the health of honeybees and other pollinators. 1 of 3 bites of food we eat is dependent on pollinators. 15 billion is the value that pollinators add to U.S. crops each year. 34 of all native plants require pollination.