In answer to the suggestion that the research into CCD has been too narrowly focused, I would reply that this is false. This, from June 2010:
During the past 3 years, numerous causes for CCD have been proposed and examined. There
have been many associations identified throughout the course of research; however, it is
becoming increasingly clear that no single factor alone is responsible for the malady.
Researchers continue to document elevated pathogen levels in CCD-affected bees, with no
specific pathogen linked definitively to CCD. In addition, tests to examine hives for known
honey bee parasites (varroa mites, honey bee tracheal mites, Nosema species), which pose
significant problems for beekeepers, and once were highly suspected to play a major role in
CCD, have not revealed these parasites, by themselves, at sufficient levels to explain the
problem. Over the past year, several independent studies have shown that bees are exposed to a
wide range of pesticides and that some pesticides have interactive effects (on bee mortality) with
other pesticides, with bee pests, or with viruses. Taken together, these studies support the
hypothesis that CCD is a syndrome of stress, caused by many different factors working
individually, but more likely in combination. Insufficient data are available to confirm this, but
studies continue, based on the groundwork that has been laid.
Although the causes of CCD have not been fully illuminated, the research response is
coordinated and dedicated to resolving this issue, while simultaneously improving pollinator
health. NIFA’s Coordinated Agricultural Project and ARS’ Areawide Project on Honey Bee
Health are of particular importance for their ongoing efforts to examine bee effects from a broad,
regional perspective, which will be a key component to solving the crisis. Funding from ARS
and NIFA, with additional contributions by a number of other sources, including the National
Honey Board, the Almond Board of California, Burt’s Bees, Häagen-Dazs, the North American
Pollinator Protection Campaign, Project “Apis m.” (PAm), the Foundation for the Preservation
of Honey Bees and others, is resulting in a variety of new studies and new expertise on bee
health issues. The fruits of this increased research effort are being published, and a new
“eXtension” website (http://www.extension.org/bee%20health) has been assembled to provide
reliable research-based information to beekeepers and the general public.
Colony Collapse Disorder Progress Report
CCD Steering Committee June 2010
United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
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