Anyone with even the slightest interest in ecology and how the ecosystem works knows how crucial bees are to the world. These insects pollinate 78% of all plant species in Poland. If bees were to become extinct, human extinction would soon follow, as we would lose the ability to breathe. This underscores the importance of taking the utmost care of bees. Unfortunately, farmer Andrzej L. had a different opinion.

It is no secret that the entire world is facing environmental challenges. People litter the planet, fail to separate waste, and cannot imagine life without plastic. As a result, the Earth is warming at an alarming rate, temperatures are setting new records, and bee populations are dwindling, with the surviving bees struggling more than ever. This is why activists and farmers stress the importance of doing everything possible to ensure pollinators have the best living conditions.

Poland first heard about Andrzej L. in 2020. On the morning of 19 to 20 May, it was revealed that the farmer had sprayed his crops with a product containing dimethoate, a chemical compound used to control insects. He chose to use this substance when more than 7 million bees had flown out of nearby apiaries in search of food. The farmer was fully aware that the pollinators would not be in their hives. This incident occurred in a village near Świdnica.

The beekeepers, puzzled by their bees' sudden plight, informed the authorities. They described the scene as terrifying, with thousands of dead bees lying on the ground. The surviving bees desperately tried to return to their hives, but the healthy pollinators would not let them in, resulting in literal fights at the hive entrances.

"He used an insecticide that is prohibited for use on rapeseed, especially during the flowering period in May when the fields were in full bloom. The product even had a warning label with a picture of a bee, indicating that dimethoate is lethal to them. He is an experienced farmer who knew exactly what he was doing," stated Marek Rusin, District Prosecutor in Świdnica.

"We immediately secured the deceased bees. Our investigation confirmed that Andrzej L. was the only farmer who had sprayed his fields that day. No one else entered the field. We collected samples of the rapeseed flowers from his field and the bees along the flight path from the field to the hives, where they also died. An expert determined that the bees flew up to 3 km from their hives. The nearest apiaries were 400 metres from this field, and the furthest were 2.8 km away. The bees did not survive," continued Marek Rusin.

As reported by glogow.naszemiasto.pl, the District Court in Świdnica concurred with the prosecutor's office but considered the farmer's lack of a previous criminal record. The court sentenced him to one year's imprisonment, with the sentence suspended for two years. Additionally, he must pay PLN 5,000 in restitution to the affected beekeepers and PLN 10,000 to the Environmental Protection Fund. The sentence is not final and may be appealed.