Mexico Takes Action to Prevent the Massive Loss of Bees

Mexico is seeing an alarming rate of bee deaths, threatening agriculture, biodiversity, and cultural traditions. In response, Colima became the first state to criminalize the mass killing of bees, imposing prison sentences for those responsible.

Research has detected up to nine different agrochemicals in dead bees, many of them neurotoxic. Fipronil and neonicotinoids, including imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, are identified as the primary causes. These substances are banned in the European Union but are widely used in Mexico on soy, corn, and citrus crops. 

Deforestation, particularly in the Yucatan Peninsula, and climate change also pose risks, altering flowering patterns and exposing pollinators to extreme droughts and more intense hurricanes. The Maya Alliance for Bees estimates that over 301,000 colonies have been lost in the past decade, although there is no consolidated official record. 

Over 85% of Mexico’s crops rely on pollinators. According to the Ministry of Agriculture (SADER), the services provided by bees are valued at MX$79.4 billion (US$4.3 billion) annually, nearly one-fifth of the country’s agricultural output. Beyond economics, beekeeping and meliponiculture represent cultural and spiritual heritage for Maya communities.

Mexico’s crisis mirrors a global trend. The United Nations estimates that 35% of pollinators worldwide are at risk of extinction. In Brazil, 500 million bees died over three months following a relaxation of agrochemical regulations.

Amid the crisis, Colima became a national reference by approving the first Agroecology Law and criminalizing mass bee deaths. The reform to Article 196 of the Penal Code establishes prison sentences of two to eight years for those responsible for such deaths using agrochemicals. The law was shaped through two years of public forums and consultations and has already reduced bee mortality in Colima by 50% in the past year.

Deputy Alfredo Álvarez emphasizes the productivity impact of bees. He notes that crop yields can increase up to 70% when hives are nearby. “In lemons, each flower pollinated by bees becomes a fruit; without them, production is insufficient,” says Álvarez.

Colima aims to serve as a model, providing chain-of-custody workshops and legal tools for beekeepers and prosecutors to hold offenders accountable. “This is not just a law on paper; it must have real effects,” says Álvarez.