Save the British Bee population

It is not just a beekeeping crisis but, potentially, this is a gardening crisis and environmental catastrophe too.

In the last twelve months, some British beekeepers have seen the collapse of their colonies by thirty three percent.

Although the problem is not as great as that being experienced by US beekeepers, who reported losses of between thirty and ninety percent, the problem has become so great that British beekeepers marched to deliver a 140,000 strong petition to the Prime Minister yesterday.

US beekeepers bees have suffered a condition known as Colony Collapse Disorder but is is uncertain whether this is the same for British keepers.

The Asian Varroa Destructor mite coupled with poor summer weather may be to blame but until research is done, the cause remains uncertain.

Two billion bees, one third of the British farmed bee colonies are thought to have died in the last year continuing losses seen every year for the last ten years.

The problem is not just confined to beekeepers. British gardeners and farmers have cause for alarm because bees are responsible for the pollination of three quarters of food and fruit crops.

The British Beekeepers' Association is calling on the government to commit £1.6 million in research funds to investigate bee losses.

Source: Associated Press

British beekeepers get research funding boost

Comments

[Beatrice]

A Spring without Bees talks about the whole problem of colony collapse disorder. It's a great read, filled with lots of information. Supports the idea that the pesticide imidacloprid is to blame.

http://www.amazon.com/Spring-without-Bees-Collapse-Endangered/dp/1599214326