Shock in the bakery: wild bees die – mother files a report!

Shock in the bakery: wild bees die – mother files a report!

In the warm summer days we often encounter the animal inhabitants of our streets and parks - bees and wasps are not uncommon. But an incident in a bakery in Emden (Lower Saxony) caused a stir: a 49-year-old mother and her nine-year-old daughter witnessed the shocking sight of wild bees dying in a UV trap. “I lost my appetite,” said the mother, who was visibly affected. Her daughter couldn't bear the scene and started crying. This is reported by Schwäbische.de.

The mother turned to the bakery staff, but the answer was of little help: the treatment of the bees was an instruction from the central management of the Musswessels bakery chain. Horrified by the situation, the mother reported it to the police because catching, injuring or killing wild bees is strictly forbidden in Lower Saxony. The legal consequences are enormous: Anyone who violates this regulation must expect fines of up to 50,000 euros or even prison sentences of up to five years.

Investigations and reactions

The police have now started investigations. Musswessel's sales manager Sascha Beyer commented on the incident and explained that wasps are often an issue in the summer months. Customers often want measures against insects, but animal welfare aspects are of secondary importance. The UV tube in the store is primarily intended to ward off fruit flies, but there is a possibility that other insects, including protected wild bees, can also get caught.

After learning of the ad, Musswessels contacted their pest control service provider. According to Bayer, UV devices are permitted in food establishments and are important for consumer protection. Nevertheless, there are efforts to better protect protected species such as wild bees. In the future, special attractants and indoor areas will be used to prevent unwanted hunting by wild bees.

Focus on animal-friendly measures

Musswessels emphasizes the importance of more animal-friendly measures. Doors are closed and glazed pastries are cooled so as not to attract insects. Bumper plates are also used, but these can make access more difficult for staff. Counters with airflow technology are also new on the market, but these technologies are not yet used at Musswessels and could ensure more safety and animal welfare in the future.

In the discussions surrounding the incident and animal welfare, it becomes clear that a rethink is necessary. The balance between consumer protection and the protection of wild animals must be reassessed in order to create a harmonious coexistence.