Bee-death losses put at around $75 billion by U.S.

WASHINGTON — A mysterious disorder that has killed millions of bees could cause $75 billion in economic losses in the United States, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said.

The malady, known as colony collapse disorder, already threatens $14.6 billion in pollinated crops in the U.S., Johanns said today in a speech at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's main office in Washington.

Colony collapse was identified after thousands of U.S. beekeepers found unusually large hive losses - 90 percent or more in some cases - starting late last year. Honeybees relied upon to pollinate millions of acres of almonds, apples, oranges and other crops have suddenly died or disappeared, potentially threatening food production and highlighting agriculture's dependence on a single source of pollination.

"The honeybee population is absolutely critical to agricultural production," Johanns said. "We recognize that a concerted, well-funded research and extension effort is needed to ensure the health of these essential pollinators."

Honeybees pollinate 90 percent of U.S. apples and blueberries, half of the peaches and 25 percent of the orange crop, Johanns said.

Colony collapse has been found in 35 U.S. states, one Canadian province, and parts of Asia, Europe and South America. Scientists haven't identified the cause of the disorder.

Crop Shortages

The USDA's estimate of potential indirect losses is based on an economic multiplier that takes into account everything from food inflation created by crop shortages to lower property values near vineyards where grapes could no longer be grown, said Kevin Hackett, head of the department's bee and pollination program.

Since the widespread losses of bee colonies, or hives, was first reported by beekeepers last year, USDA has been coordinating research efforts among department scientists and universities, with a USDA-led "action plan" pulling together resources to solve the bee mystery, Johanns said.

The department plans to spend $7.4 million researching colony collapse this year, focusing on mites and pathogens that may be causing it, Johanns said. An additional $2.7 million for pollinator projects, such as a full-scale study of bee health, will come from state extension service offices and funds redirected from other parts of USDA, he said.

That compares with $2.7 billion the USDA spent on agricultural research last year, according to the White House budget request for fiscal 2008.

'Not Doing Enough'

The funding disparity shows the Agriculture Department isn't doing enough to fight Colony Collapse Disorder, said Troy Fore, executive director of the American Beekeeping Federation in Jesup, Georgia, the largest U.S. beekeepers group. The USDA has been slow to react to bee losses, he said.

Current USDA funding is adequate for the work that needs to be done now, said Rob Hedberg, a science policy director with the department.

"We've done a very good job of quickly responding and laying out a plan that uses resources effectively," said Hedberg, who said the department would seek additional funding in future budget requests.

The department needs to earmark more dollars specifically for bee research rather than rely on reprogrammed funds, Fore said. "Much of the money they're talking about is being moved from someplace else, and most of what they've allocated so far has already been spent," he said.

Members of Congress are introducing legislation to fight colony collapse, including a measure by Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Florida Democrat, that would spend an additional $4 million a year for five years to understand the phenomenon.

"The threat of colony collapse disorder is clear," Hastings said in a congressional hearing June 26. Related legislation is being sponsored by Sens. Barbara Boxer of California and Max Baucus of Montana and Reps. Dennis Cardoza of California and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, all Democrats.