Bee disease 'could hit food crop'

Honey bees colonies are being affected by a disease

A bee-keeper in Wiltshire says a disease affecting honey bees could affect the production of fruit and vegetables in the county.

Alan Stonell, from Melksham and District Bee Keeper's Association, said he expects to see a loss of more than a third of the colonies this winter.

He said the Varroa Mite which carries the disease has become "endemic in Wiltshire, doing damage to our bees".

He said monitoring the problem was not helped by non-registered bee-keepers.

Approximately 95% of honey bee hives have become infected with disease according to a report published by the National Audit Office.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version