Randy Oliver asked for info about the situation in France.
The only statistics I have are for my Region, the Rhone Alpes Region. They were compiled by the local association, the Syndicat d'Apiculture du Rhône et de la Région Lyonnaise.
Although geographically large there are no keepers with thousands of hives and 8o% of hives are permanent, stationary hives. 
The loss of hives between November 2008 and 20th April 2009 was 20% overall. 
The previous year was a catastrophic 57% .
This year’s losses were: 30% in the plains, 19% in mountain under 600 meters, and 18% in mountain above 600 meters. 
21 to 23% of the losses were in natural plains or wooded areas. This went up to 24 to 37% in areas where Corn, Sunflower, Cereals or fruit trees were grown.
The dead hives were classed as follows: 60% empty hives or hives with a small bunch of dead bees, 22% queenless hives, and 12% of hives dead from hunger.
The Union Nationale de l'Apiculture Française is campaigning to have “Cruiser” (thiaméthoxam) banned. Unfortunately, the Minister of Agriculture has authorised its restricted use for one more year to treat seed planted before the 15th May. The field cannot be planted the following year with any crop pollinated by bees. There must be no seeds on the surface as it is toxic to birds and small animals.
It seems incomprehensible that a product considered to be so toxic can be authorised at all. 
 
Bil Harley 
France, latitude 45.8, long. 4.8, Alt. 117m

                   Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
             Limitez l’impression de vos  documents pour le bien de  notre planète. 


      

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Access BEE-L directly at:
http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L