BEES DISAPPEARED WITHOUT A TRACE
As reported in US media, thousands of beekeepers have found their hives empty following the winter season. There is no clue as to the whereabouts of the bees. It is believed that the bee population has been reduced by 60-70% The cost of crop failure due to lack of pollination is calculated in the billions of dollars. To a lesser degree bees have been dying in Europe but nothing to the extent of the United States. Walter Haefeker of the Council of German Beekeepers (Deutschen Imkerbundes) suspects a connection with the extensive genetically altered maize production (comprising roughly 40% of all plantings). Two years ago researchers in the University Jena (Germany) found links between genetically modified corn and immune weakened bees, but the resources to continue their studies were not made available. Source: www.info3.de Nr 4 April 2007 photo courtesy wikipedia