Pollination crisis spreads across the USA

The pollination crisis that made the headlines in the world's largest planned pollination event California is now being felt across the USA.

In New Hampshire the harsh winter and varroa are being held responsible for the loss of over 50-80% of bees in some locations. In Minnesota losses to varroa of 30-50% are being reported in the Upper Midwest and a wet, cool and windy May is keeping at bees at home instead of pollinating the apple crop.

UPDATE 24 May 2005: Latest reports indicate that the Californian almond harvest will be 16% down this year. Since California produces some 80% of the world's commercially produced almonds, this decline has global significance.