Bee numbers are currently in decline around the world – especially in the United States and Europe, where a disease known as Colony Collapse Disorder has decimated bee populations.

The UK has also noticed a decline in numbers, with the British Beekeepers Association saying that more than one in five British bee colonies have been killed off through bad weather, stress and disease.

Climate change, loss of habitat, pesticide use and intensive farming methods are believed to be causing the decline of several bee species.
Ged Marshall, from British Honey Producers Ltd in Steeple Claydon, said he had noticed a larger than normal decline in the number of honey bees in his and other beekeepers' hives.

He said: "It has been a very poor winter. Normally beekeepers expect to lose somewhere between 5% and 10% of their colonies, but people have noticed losses of between 50% and 80%. There are going to be a lot of hives not producing any honey this year."

He added the main cause of the decline in honey bees was caused by disease and bad weather and would have a knock-on effect on the environment.

"Around 80% of crop pollination is done by honey bees," he said. "Agriculture and orchards are affected by a decline in bees, and hawthorn, blackberries, clover and trees which have fruit and berries are bee pollinated. If they don't get pollinated, there is then not enough food for the bird population and it has a knock-on effect along the food chain."

Mr Marshall called for more Government money to be spent on research into the decline in bee numbers.

CONCERN: Beekeeper Ged Marshall, from Steeple Claydon. 080606M-079