"Big deal," you may think.  "No honey..."

Since around 2006 there have been reports of the rapid decline and disappearance of bee populations around the world.  The British Beekeeper's Association, for example, reported a 30% decline in bee numbers during 2007/2008.

It's not just a decline in the production of honey that will result, however.  Those of us who are city dwellers may not be completely aware that honeybees pollinate many plants - and some of those plants go on to feed animals.  One estimate is that around 90 commercial crops are pollinated by the honey bee - resulting in an annual harvest approaching a figure of US$ 15 billion.

So far, the decline in bee populations are not understood by researchers.  Theories abound such as  Colony Collapse Disorder, parasitic insects (the varroa mite), bacterial infection (foulbrood) - some claims even include speculation on bee proximity to genetically modified crops and mobile phone masts.

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