"WASHINGTON, DC -- Multiple factors are responsible for the steep decline in honey bees across the United States, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure, federal government officials reported today, releasing a new scientific consensus on honey bee health."

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials said the report summarizes the conclusions of the National Stakeholders Conference on Honey Bee Health last October.

Led by federal researchers and managers, the meeting included: beekeepers, scientists, advocacy groups, beekeeping supply manufacturers, commodity groups, pesticide producers, academics, and state and federal government representatives from the United States, Canada, and Europe. It was convened to survey the current state of knowledge about the primary factors that scientists believe have the greatest impact on managed bee health now that Colony Collapse Disorder has persisted since 2006.

“Overall losses continue to be high and pose a serious threat to meeting the pollination service demands for several commercial crops,” states the meeting’s outcome report."

Environment News Service had the story May 2, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Study Suggests Honeybee Collapse Has Many Culprits" (McClatchy) [3]

"Study Finds No Single Cause of Honeybee Deaths" (New York Times) [4]

"As Honey Bee Population Dwindles, U.S. Sees Threat To Food Supply" (Reuters) [5]