Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that honeybee losses have further increased since last year, 42.1% from April 2014 through April 2015 from 34.2% for 2013 to 2014. 2012 to 2013 was 45%.
- The 2014 to 2015 loss is the second-highest annual honeybee loss reported. The benchmark for for economically unsustainable levels is 18.7%.
- A quarter of the American food supply may be affected by this loss of bees.
Dive Insight:
As these losses continue to be high and economically unsustainable, political debates have fired up as to the causes and solutions to the problem. Beekeepers, environmental groups, and some scientists are convinced that neonicotinoids, or neonics, which are a type of pesticide used on farms, lawns, and gardens, could be the reason.
Agrichemical companies, however, blame mite infestations as part of the issue. In response, the Environmental Protection Agency has requested studies of if and how bees might be affected by neonics. The agency plans to have some results ready later in 2015.