An action plan that aims to reverse the decline in bees and other pollinators has been published by Defra.

The Bee’s Needs campaign, launched by environment minister Lord de Mauley, calls for people to create or improve a habitat for pollinators by growing more nectar and pollen-rich flowers, shrubs and trees.

The initiative - which was drawn up by experts from Natural England, the Food and Environment Research Agency, conservation charities and the research community - also calls for people to leave patches of land to grow wild, to cut grass less often, avoid disturbing nesting or hibernating insects, and to “think carefully about whether to use pesticides”.

“Pollinators such as bees are vital to the environment and the economy, and I want to make sure we do all we can to safeguard them,” said Lord de Mauley. “That’s why we are encouraging everyone to take a few simple actions and play their part in helping protect our bees and butterflies.”

Lord de Mauley added that Defra would publish a nationwide strategy for pollinators - and how to enable them to flourish - later this year, with some crops, such as raspberries, apples and pears particularly in need of insect pollination to produce good yields.

NFU vice president Guy Smith said the union was “pleased to support this call to action”, while members of the Bee Coalition - established in 2012 to fight for a ban on neonicotinoid pesticides – gave it a cautious welcome.

Friends of the Earth spokesman and Bee Coalition member Paul de Zylva said: “Now we need Defra to set out clear plans to ensure all sectors, from farming to town planning, play their part.”

And Nick Mole of Pesticide Action Network UK said avoiding the use of chemicals was as important as growing the right plants because of the strong links between using pesticides and harm to bees and other vital pollinating insects.”

It was a view echoed by Soil Association policy head Emma Hockridge, who said: “While the public can do a lot to help in their gardens, farmers are responsible for the state of our countryside and until they stop using pesticides we aren’t going to solve this problem.”

The launch of the initiative last week followed a boost for the anti-insecticide lobby earlier this month, when pesticide producer Syngenta withdrew its application for a UK exemption from the EU-wide ban on the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments on winter oilseed rape.

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