Funds for research into death of bees

[mawilson 2,133]

Häagen-Dazs, the luxury ice-cream brand, has become the first large food company

to fund research into honey bee “colony collapse disorder” – the mystery syndrome

blamed for the destruction of about 25 per cent of the US bee population since late 2006.

The brand, owned in the US by Nestlé, is making a $250,000 grant (€170,000, £130,000)

to university researchers in California and Pennsylvania.

Katti Pien of Häagen-Dazs said almost 40 per cent of the brand’s flavours were dependent

on bee pollination and could be threatened by CCD. Bees pollinate ingredients in about

a third of the food consumed in the US.

“Ice-cream is a small part of it. The bigger issue is the food supply for the whole country,”

she said.

Widespread bee colony collapses started appearing in the US in late 2006, with adult bees

abandoning hives before the hatching of a new brood. Scientists have yet to explain the

phenomenon. Theories advanced range from the introduction of new viruses or fungi to

environmental factors such as genetically engineered crops or electromagnetic waves

from mobile phone towers.

An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 professional beekeepers rent out hives to growers during the

blossom season for crops ranging from almonds to apples. A typical professional

beekeeper operates between 2,000 and 3,000 hives and will transport bees in trucks

across different states according to the season.

The industry is trying to establish whether the outbreak is a cyclical phenomenon – similar

to past periods of bee die-offs – or a substantial developing threat.

Source

[Mags 112]

I read something about this a while ago. Bees are crucial to the wild and by them all disappearing we could have some major problems on our hands.

Bees are good.

[mawilson 2,133]

"adult bees abandoning hives before the hatching of a new brood"

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

[Ban Hammer 13,965]

"adult bees abandoning hives before the hatching of a new brood"

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

sounds like they don't want to pay child support

[mawilson 2,133]

"adult bees abandoning hives before the hatching of a new brood"

Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

sounds like they don't want to pay child support