Beekeepers in the United Kingdom are asking for £8 million ($16 million) to fund research into identifying and eliminating threats to the country’s honeybee population, which they say could be wiped out in the next 10 years. Still struggling to ward off the colony destroying effects of the Varroa Destructor, an aptly named mite, the British Beekeeping Association hopes to avoid large-scale Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), which is threatening hives around the world.

While the causes of CCD are not entirely understood, the disappearance of bees is considered a major threat to the world’s food supply. There are three major theories about the cause of CCD: Pesticides, Parasites, and Pressure (stress caused by poor nutrition, nectar scarcity, contaminated or limited water supplies, overcrowding and excessive migratory demands). Many small-scale beekeeping operations have reported no signs of CCD, most likely because the stresses on the bees are far fewer and the apiarist is able to keep a much closer watch on the health of the hive.

Learn more by watching the excellent short Every Third Bite and checking in with the NRDC .

takepart by buying local honey and joining the Pollinator Partnership’s Action Team!

Danny Jensen is s gardener, actor, opera singer and blogger.

(photo by dsevilla)