USDA buzzing with new plan to fight collapse of bee colonies

[babylonsister]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/226/story/17954.html

USDA buzzing with new plan to fight collapse of bee colonies
By Michael Doyle | McClatchy Newspapers

* Posted on Fri, July 13, 2007


WASHINGTON — Agriculture Department scientists are mobilizing to fight the puzzling and potentially catastrophic collapse of the nation's honey bee colonies.

Citing a "perfect storm for beekeepers," alarmed officials admitted Friday they still don't know why bees are dying in large numbers in more than 22 states. But prodded by Congress and farmers alike, the scientists will be devoting new resources to protecting the diligent pollinators some call six-legged livestock.

"There were enough honey bees to provide pollination for U.S. agriculture this year, but beekeepers could face a serious problem next year and beyond," Agriculture Undersecretary Gale Buchanan warned Friday.

Nationwide, honey bees pollinate more than 130 crops. They are particularly dutiful in some areas, such as California's nearly $3 billion-a-year almond industry. Of the nation's 2.4 million commercial bee colonies, 1.3 million pollinate almond orchards.

"The bee industry is facing difficulty meeting the demand for pollination in almonds because of bee production shortages in California," the Agricultural Research Service noted.

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[aquart]

1. So they're refusing to say that the Bayer insecticide is doing it.

Even though France banned it for doing exactly that?

But they're gonna funnel cash to their buddies to "study" it?

Big help, fellas.