In search of the honey bee

Sir, – Regarding the concern over the absence of the honey bee this summer (Richard Gallagher, June 10th). Do you think our farmers could be persuaded to limit the use of pesticide sprays, if a small monetary payment was given by the Department of the Environment, as an incentive to protect this tiny, but vital role player, in keeping mankind on this planet? Or do either the department or the farmers really care? – Yours, etc,

CAROLINE BOUGHTON,

Meadowview Grove,

Lucan,

Co Dublin.