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Decrease in bees causes concern
• 21 Jun 2007 •
 BEEKEEPERS are facing one of the most worrying periods ever experienced in the sector as during the last few months hive populations have been decreasing significantly. Experts are still unsure of the exact reason for the situation, and apiculture meetings have been held in Velez-Malaga to analyse the possible causes of this recent bee mortality. Allegedly, between 20 and 30 per cent of Andalucian colonies have already been lost.
According to veterinarian Miguel Angel Bolance, from the Union of Small Agriculturists (UPA), one of the main reasons for the reduced population is a parasite of Asian origin (Nosema Ceranae), which recently arrived in Spain. “It bores into animals intestines, causing the bees to die during flight, which is why bee keepers do not detect it,” Bolance explained. Apparently, the parasite may have entered the country through the exchange in swarms and queen bees currently being carried out with other countries.
Climate change is another possible cause as, according to Bolance, “the warm winters and cold summers we are experiencing confuses the hives biological cycles”.
A further possible reason is the elevated use of pesticides by agriculturists which could be harming the bees as the substances get stronger each year and remain longer in plants. Also changes in seed types – transgenic and short cycle – provoke a decrease in nectar produced, which, when added to the decrease in flower size, makes harvesting difficult for bees.
Beekeepers fear that they will experience a significant drop in honey production over the next few seasons which has led the provincial secretary for the UPA, Jose Gamez, to demand an increase in help from authorities in charge of the sector as “bees carry out a very important function in agricultural harvests”.
Gamez is also asking for more control over honey commercialisation from other countries including China, where honey is “of a lesser quality but cheaper”. |  Return to Top
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