Bee Health - Colony Losses
In 2007, there were press reports about the serious situation in the USA in respect of cases of abnormally high levels of colony loss described as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). The cause(s) is still under investigation in the USA. We do not have evidence to suggest that the more limited colony losses in the UK could be linked to those in the USA. Scientists and inspectors at the National Bee Unit (NBU) are monitoring the situation and are in contact with experts in the USA and in Europe to learn about developments.
This year, the situation is still emerging as more inspections are completed but there have been some significant losses in the UK. The proportion of colonies so far found dead is higher for 2008 than it was at the equivalent date in 2007. Reports of significant colony losses are being investigated as a high priority. £120, 000 (£90, 000 from Defra and £30, 000 from the Welsh Assembly Government) of additional funds has been allocated to the NBU to expand investigations started last year under a Horizon Scanning project into significant losses and to meet the demand for increased inspections of bee imports consequential to the colony losses.
If beekeepers report significant losses in England and Wales to the NBU for which there is no ready explanation (such as poor Varroa management or poor husbandry) they will be investigated. Results from the isolated examples of significant levels of colony loss indicate high levels of virus in samples taken from dead or dying colonies. The wet weather in summer 2007 meant that bees were confined to their hives for long periods and so were unable to forage for nectar and pollen and this stress provided the opportunity for virus levels and Nosema to build up.
Page last modified:
5 Sept 2008
Page published: 6 June 2008