Government to spend 48.4 billion won to protect bees threatened by climate change

The government plans to invest 48.4 billion won (about $31.8 million) in honeybee protection research through 2030, as concerns grow over declining bee populations driven by climate change.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency said it shared research findings Monday and Tuesday at a joint-project performance workshop held at the aT Center in Yangjae, Seoul. The workshop focused on developing new nectar tree species to protect honeybees and preserve ecosystems in response to extreme weather events.

Honeybees are the primary insects responsible for pollinating crops and are estimated to support about 30 percent of global agricultural production. But rising temperatures and shifting climate patterns have increased the incidence of disease and pest damage, posing a growing threat not only to the beekeeping industry but to agricultural production as a whole.

In response, five agencies — the quarantine agency, the National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, the National Institute of Biological Resources, the National Institute of Forest Science and the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences — have been conducting a joint research project totaling 48.4 billion won from 2023 through 2030.

The workshop showcased progress in developing climate-adaptive nectar tree varieties, smart honeybee management technology, countermeasures against pests such as varroa mites and hornets, and diagnostic tools for honeybee diseases.

The quarantine agency presented findings on changes in the life cycle of varroa mites — which cause significant losses for beekeepers — along with pest control techniques, on-site diagnostic tools for bees exhibiting abnormal behavior, and research on assessing honeybee health under climate change.

The National Institute of Meteorological Sciences introduced a system for predicting the flowering of nectar trees, while the National Institute of Forest Science presented research on identifying nectar plant resources suited to a changing climate. The National Institute of Biological Resources shared updates on its database of pollinating insects.

The government said it plans to use the research findings to reduce honeybee die-offs and strengthen the competitiveness of the beekeeping industry.

"Climate change is affecting the patterns of honeybee disease and pest outbreaks," said Choe Jeong-rok, head of the quarantine agency. "We will advance scientific diagnostic and control technologies to contribute to honeybee protection and the development of the beekeeping industry."