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WHEN we think of bees we may think of the image portrayed in Disney films of the happy bumble bee busily buzzing away, but we are in grave danger of losing this vital cog in the ecological wheel from Britain and the world if we are not careful.

The problems are varied and appear to have originated in the US as far back as 1987, and whilst many of their mites can be contained by chemicals, they are becoming resistant to this solution. The biggest fear is that of colony collapse disorder. This disorder sees the bees up and leaves for no apparent need and the hive, of course, just dies.

Thankfully this has not reached Britain yet, but we need to all be friendlier to the types of bee, not just honey bees. As Einstein said: “If honey bees were to disappear, man would follow suit in approximately three years.”