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BRANDON, Man. — RCMP in Brandon, Man., are investigating a report that thousands of honey bees have been poisoned in the region recently.

Mounties say in a news release that two locations northwest of Brandon in the rural municipality of Elton are involved.

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They say the alleged poisonings are believed to have happened between Aug. 14 and Sept. 3.

Mounties say the bee producers have suffered a substantial financial loss.

Dwindling bee populations have been an increasing concern in the agricultural community, though generally not because of any criminal action.

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In recent years, bee populations worldwide have been ravaged by pesticides, parasites and colony collapse disorder, a mysterious phenomenon in which worker bees suddenly disappear.

In California, a record drought has reduced supplies of honey, raising prices for consumers and making it harder for beekeepers to earn a living.

In Ontario, a proposed class-action lawsuit has been launched against two chemical companies that make pesticides widely blamed for massive bee deaths.