> Periodic, extensive honeybee colony losses are not just a recent phenomenon. For example, Ireland suffered “The great mortality of bees” in 950, and nationwide bee losses occurred again in 992 and 1443. 

> Moderate and predictable losses can be accommodated and planned for. However, extensive and uncontrollable losses make beekeeping as a profession, with heavy investment in material and equipment, an enterprise at permanent risk of bankruptcy (van Engelsdorp et al., 2007). This financial uncertainty also limits recruitment of a new generation of beekeepers, especially to the professional ranks. 

> The European and global strategy for the prevention of colony losses is therefore clearly based on a broad transnational platform with a strong focus on the transfer of science into practice. Only if we succeed to bridge the gap between bee scientists and apiculture will we achieve sustainable progress in the prevention of colony losses at a continental scale. 

Excerpted from 

Robin F.A. Moritz, Joachim de Miranda, Ingemar Fries, Yves Le Conte, Peter Neumann, Robert J. Paxton  2010 Research strategies to improve honeybee health in Europe. www.apidologie.org

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