Highlights

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Honeybee populations are mysteriously dying off in Europe and elsewhere. On 24 January, EU agriculture ministers discussed this alarming phenomenon on the basis of the Commission's communication on honeybee health.

Europe has over 2,500 species of wild bees and one commonly domesticated species, the honeybee. They play a vital role in the pollination of crops and flowers. Honeybees also provide honey and other products such as wax, royal jelly and propolis.

In recent years, vast numbers of both wild and managed pollinators have disappeared. In a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder, bees become disoriented and die far away from their hives. Many factors have been blamed, including parasites, viruses, fungi and pesticides. So far, however, scientists have not been able to pinpoint the exact causes.

The EU aims to start a pilot surveillance programme by the end of 2011 to tackle the current shortage of comparable bee data. An EU Reference Laboratory for bee health will be set up in Sophia Antipolis, France, by April 2011. Member states' officials are receiving bee health training under the Better Training for Safer Food initiative.

Habitat loss and fragmentation is another threat to bee populations. The EU seeks to address this problem by encouraging biodiversity in its programmes.

The Union cooperates closely on this issue with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide.

More information:
Press release (pdf)
Press conference webcast
Beekeeping and honey production (on Europa portal)
Bee mortality and bee surveillance in Europe (European Food Safety Authority)
OIE statement on bee health