Paul Eccleston, The Telegraph 2 May 08;
More than one in four honeybee colonies didn't survive the winter, new Government figures have revealed.
Beekeepers expect to lose a proportion of their bees every year but far bigger losses than expected have been reported across the country.
Inspectors from the National Bee Unit found 25.9 per cent of colonies dead compared to 18.2 per cent at the same point last year.
In 2007 27,303 colonies were inspected and 3,191 (11.7 per cent) were found dead. In 2006, 24,979 colonies were inspected and 2,764 (11.1 per cent) were dead.
The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) which has 11,000 members, has been warning the Government that bee numbers have been falling dramatically and that a potential economic and ecological disaster was unfolding.
The latest figures will renew fears that the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which has decimated bee colonies in America may now be affecting British bees.
Bees play a vital role in pollinating crops, particularly soft fruit and the BBKA estimates they are worth £165m a year to the agricultural economy.
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has rejected appeals for the £200,000 per year set aside for research into bee diseases, particularly the Varoa mite, to be increased.
In the United States the government is spending $80m (£40m) on research into CCD.
But Defra have admitted there were now early signs of "significant colony losses across the country" and that an investigation into the possible causes was being stepped up.
"While it is not unusual to see some losses over winter, there are early signs of significant colony losses across the country, which are being investigated. A more complete understanding will emerge in the coming weeks as the NBU's Bee Inspectors complete their initial inspections," Defra said.
Samples taken from stricken hives, where losses could not be put down to varroa or poor care, would be given top priority for testing and investigation. Defra urged beekeepers experiencing significant losses should contact their local Bee Inspector to arrange a visit.
High losses last year were put down to either inadequate management of varroa or the high level of another parasite, Nosema spp, coupled with chronic bee paralysis virus.
The wet summer of 2007 had confined bees to their hives for long periods leaving them insufficient time to forage for enough nectar to see them through the winter. This had been compounded by this year's wet Spring adding to the stress in hives and providing ideal conditions for the spread of disease.
The BBKA is conducting its own nationwide survey to find out how hard colonies have been hit and the results should be known later this month.
President Tim Lovett said: "There can be no doubt that we are losing colonies at a faster rate than we are used to seeing and it is right that Defra is taking a far greater interest in what is going on.
"No doubt the poor weather has had a lot to do with it but it is about time Defra woke up the fact that we have a major problem on our hands."
Many beekeepers believe that CCD is not one particular disorder but caused a combination of factors - diseases, stress, pesticides and even climate change - which result in bees dying or deserting their hives.
