Bees in more trouble than ever after bad winter; pesticides-targeted

Two federal agencies along with regulators in California and Canada are scrambling to figure out what is behind a worsening of bee die-offs of the past four years, ordering new research on pesticides used in fields and orchards. Federal courts are even weighing in this month, ruling that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency overlooked a requirement when allowing a pesticide on the market.

This year bees seem to be in bigger trouble than normal after a bad winter, according to an informal survey of commercial bee brokers cited in an internal USDA document. One-third of those surveyed had trouble finding enough hives to pollinate California's blossoming nut trees, which grow the bulk of the world's almonds.

EPA officials said they are aware of problems involving pesticides and bees and the agency is "very seriously concerned."

Full story 3/24/10: Capital Press