One In Three UK British Beehives Lost In Winter And Spring, 2007 - 2008 - Telegraph

[hatrack]

The study by the British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA) revealed that nearly one in three of the UK's 240,000 honeybee hives did not survive this winter and spring.

The losses are even higher than the one in five colonies reported dead earlier in May by the government.

The National Bee Unit, which monitors bee health, has attributed high bee mortality to the wet summer in 2007 and in the early part of this spring that confined bees to their hives. This meant they were unable to forage for nectar and pollen and this stress provided the opportunity for pathogens to build up and spread.

But the BBKA says the causes are unclear. Its initial survey of 600 members revealed a marked north-south divide, with 37 per cent bee losses in the north, compared to 26 per cent in the south.

EDIT

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2550024/Honeybee-population-collapses-as-one-in-three-hives-lost.html