Penny is clearing its shelves

Bees are the third most important livestock for humans, after cattle and pigs. More than 85 percent of the world's wild and cultivated plants depend on pollination by bees and by a large number of other pollinating insect species. It has been estimated that the economic benefits of wild bees, butterflies and the like can be up to € 500 billion globally, with regards to pollination of crops. This makes it all the more horrific that the number and variety of insects has dropped dramatically in recent years. If we look at wild bees, for example: of the approximately 550 species found in Germany, more than half are already at risk, many are already extinct. Within other insect groups, this development is similarly pressing.

The causes of the dramatic decline in insect numbers are largely due to our ‘industrial’ agriculture. Through the intensive use of pesticides and the lack of structures such as copses or field borders, insects are killed either directly or can no longer find the right food sources. Increasing habitat destruction and climate change also play a part.

In order to inform its customers about the immediate consequences of the dying off of insects, PENNY has taken all those products from the shelves in its branch in Langenhagen (Marktplatz 5), which would no longer be available if the killing of insects were to continue unabated. Of the 2,500 articles in the PENNY range, around 60 percent depend directly or indirectly on insect pollination.

"I was shocked when I saw the list. One does not realize know how many products would disappear without insect pollination. We have to make every effort to stop the killing of insects, so I'm all the more grateful that Olaf Lies -as Minister of Environment, Energy, Building and Climate Protection of Lower Saxony- is supporting this event. It is great he was informed of this today, but we also want to show our customers how comparatively easy it is for them to get involved with bees, for example by creating gardens with flowers or insect hotels on their balconies or in their gardens", says Stefan Magel, Divisional Board Trade Germany/COO PENNY. "Otherwise, nature will eventually be muted, irretrievably."

Source: Penny