Bavarian 'save the bees' success raises green hopes in Germany

Green party hopes to make hay in elections after state adopts well-backed petition

Environmentalists in Germany are celebrating a decision by Bavaria to adopt a series of measures to "save the bees" that may revolutionise farming practice across the country.

"This is a milestone for nature protection and a fine hour for citizen law-making in Bavaria," said Ludwig Hartmann, of the Green party, one of the initiators of a petition that prompted the move. "This is a reason to be joyful, but also an incentive to jointly advance further important projects for the protection of our environment and the climate."