Posted on 03/17/2007 12:56:27 PM PDT by RedAlert
KALAMAZOO, Mich., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Michigan's $350 million fruit industry is in peril after the recent death of countless honeybees from what is called Colony Collapse Disorder.
Michigan Department of Agriculture official Mike Hansen told the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette that with honeybees dying at an alarming rate in 22 U.S. states the 2007 fruit harvest is at risk.
"Michigan has about 125 crops, and 60 to 65 of those are dependent on honeybee pollination," the state beekeeper said.
With reported losses of bees reaching up to 90 percent in some states, scientists have found no cure for what they labeled Colony Collapse Disorder.
Experts doubt other species of bees and flies could adequate pollinate the fruit crop in time for harvest.
Commodity specialist Ken Nye said that the true impact of the missing honeybees won't be accurately assessed for months.
"In reality, the light is going to go on at the first of May when the migratory beekeeper shows up and says, 'I only have 10 hives for you,'" the Gazette said.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
This is the new convenient cover for the 4th printing of An Inconvenient Truth.
I like clover honey on toast and warm bagels. You have to get the honey from bees that buzz around roses and carnations and check that out. Trader Joe's had it in L.A. where I found it. Pass it by your sweetheart to see what she thinks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.