EU to address mysterious collapse of bee colonies | EurActiv

EU to address mysterious collapse of bee colonies | EurActiv: "Pesticides, GM crops to blame?

A 2009 report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on bee mortality and bee surveillance in Europe suggests that there are many factors involved in the causes of the decline in the bee population. In its study, the agency considered the following: bee diseases and pests, pesticide poisoning, the impact of genetically-modified crops, and stress linked to changes in nutrition and climatic conditions.

However, the Commission said 'the leading cause remains unknown at this stage' and called for more research to be carried out. It also suggested setting up a programme to monitor bees in the EU to ascertain the precise magnitude of the losses.

While the link between increased bee mortality and the cultivation of GM crops has been widely reported, the Commission underlines that 'no difference has been recorded' between areas where GM crops are extensively cultivated and areas in which they are much less common or prohibited."