Bee decline could raise food costs more, panel told

WASHINGTON — Food prices could rise even more unless the mysterious decline in honeybees is solved, farmers and businessmen told lawmakers Thursday.

"No bees, no crops," North Carolina grower Robert Edwards told a House Agriculture subcommittee.

A record 36 percent of U.S. commercial bee colonies have been lost so far this year and worse may be yet to come, experts told the panel.

Colony collapse disorder is characterized by a sudden decline in a bee colony's population and the inexplicable absence of dead bees.

Possible explanations for the disorder, first reported in 2006, include pesticides; a new parasite or pathogen; and the combination of immunity-suppressing stresses such as poor nutrition, limited or contaminated water supplies, and the need to move bees long distances for pollination.

"What seemed to be an aberration has unfortunately turned into a full-fledged crisis," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., chairman of the House horticulture and organic agriculture subcommittee, which convened the hearing.

Ice-cream maker Haagen-Dazs and natural personal-care products company Burt's Bees have pledged money for research.

The problem affects about 40 percent of Haagen-Dazs' 73 flavors, including banana split and chocolate peanut butter, because ingredients such as almonds, cherries and strawberries rely on honeybees for pollination.

The House Appropriations Committee approved $780,000 on Thursday for research on the disorder and $10 million for bee research. The money awaits approval by the full House and Senate.