Concern over global honey supply shortage
According to Stuart Bailey of Rowse Honey, 25% of bee colonies in Britain died last winter due to varroa mite parasite, wet spring weather that confined bees to hives, and changing agricultural patterns.
He said British bee farmers provided 3,000 to 5,000 tonnes of honey a year, a small fraction of the total requirements at consumer and industrial level for food formulation.
Bailey said protecting international bee stocks was as important for Britain as for major honey-producing nations.
He said supply concerns have been reflected in rising global prices for honey.
In Argentina, the largest honey exporter to Britain, a 20,000 tonne shortfall in output is expected compared to last year.
The US is also dealing with bee population decline, and Bailey said the Eastern European crop is just starting, following a disastrous 2007 due to a long dry summer. Australia now has to import honey.
A spokesperson for Defra — Britain’s ministry with responsibility for agriculture — said it shared the views of stakeholders in the honey production chain, but could not act before completing its review of a 10-year bee health strategy proposal. Meanwhile, research continues worldwide into what can be done to protect the honey bee populations under threat, across Europe and North America, in particular.
Loss of bees also endangers the pollination necessary for production of oil seed, rape and fruits and vegetables.
