Federal Government Takes Notice Of Colony Collapse Disorder In Honeybees

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — As honeybee hives collapse and farmers crops are put in jeopardy, President Barack Obama announced a national strategy to help keep the bees healthy.

With the recent loss of bee colonies, local beekeepers and honey producers are relieved a solution may be on its way.

Nancy Stewart has run the only beekeeping and honey store in Sacramento for 30 years and has never seen the problem so bad.

"When the bees die off they can't get the pollination and it affects the amount of food produced," she said.

It's called Colony Collapse Disorder, and she's happy the government is taking notice. Last week, a group of universities and laboratories announced beekeepers lost more than 42 percent of their colonies between 2014 and 2015—an 8 percent increase from a year before.

Serena Castro works fro Sola Bee Farms which sells honey at farmers markets and provides bees to farmers. A few years ago, her company's entire line of bees died.

Scientists say paying attention to the bees and their plight is critical for American crops. it's estimated to be an economic value of nearly $15 billion a year.

No one knows for sure what exactly is to blame for the colony disorder, but mites, pollution, pesticides and even the drought have been fingered.

But even with the recent troubles, Stewart is optimistic the increase in bee awareness will help bees to make a strong comeback.

"Don't swat them away, that encourages them to sting, just hold still," she said.