BCCD (Bee Colony Collapse Disorder) is a relatively recent phenomenon with unknown causes, the
effect being the widespread disappearance of bee populations. Since
2006, BCCD has affected colonies throughout North America and beyond,
threatening roughly 1/3 of human food sources which rely on
pollination by bees. This problem gain's its importance by the number
of people it potentially affects, and the estimated resources that
would be required to combat the problem. By taking steps to combat
the problem now, we can avoid potentially disastrous future
consequences.

BCCD represents a
somewhat unprecedented precipitous decline in bee populations, the
characteristics of which are unique. Since the decline has been
identified, it may be tempting to attribute any colony with a
decrease in population, or any disappearance to BCCD, but it should
be noted that bee populations normally decline somewhat, and any
individual case may not be BCCD, assuming that is, that BCCD itself
has a single cause. Some the the characteristics of BCCD include the
disappearance of bees without leaving dead bees in the area, leaving
unhatched eggs, and food behind, and other bees not robbing the hive
of honey for an unusually long period of time (Canadian Honey
Council).

A number of
explanations have been offered for BCCD, none of which is a clear
causative factor. Indeed, it seems as though the pet peeve of every
group of investigators has become a potential causative factor. For
example, the BT (Bacillus
Tharingenis) endotoxin was investigated as a possible
cause because it is used in GM crops to reduce lepidoptera feeding on
the crop. The BT toxin works by killing a necessary bacteria native
to the gut of lepidoptera. Because these bacteria are not native to
bees, and because BCCD has been taking place in areas where crops
with the BT endotoxin are not grown due to consumer fears, there was
no good scientific reason to investigate the BT toxin in this case.
Pressure from organizations like the sierra club, who have an
ideological axe to grind against GM foods, have pressured scientists
and political bodies.

Because much of the
research up to this point has been, like with the case of GM crops
driven more by politics than by good science, there is room for
Monroe county to step in with valid science and participate in the
wider effort to solve the problem. The county possesses an number of
universities equipped with both the intellectual and physical
resources necessary to make a significant contribution to solving the
problem, or at least discovering its cause.

Monroe possesses a
great deal of farmland, and outside of Rochester, farming is one of
the county's largest industries. The economic impact of BCCD to the
county could be significant. The county has 15,000 acres of land
growing corn, 5,500 growing soybeans, and 2,000 growing apples (city
data). An "estimated $2.5 million loss in apples, pumpkins,
strawberries and squash" could occur in Monroe county if the bee
decline continues(Wellsville Times). The local company Dundee Beer
(which uses honey) has made an example of itself by donating a
portion of beer sales to the cause of BCCD research (ibid).

Canadian Honey Council - News. . Retrieved June 17, 2008, from
http://honeycouncil.ca/users/news_view.asp?FolderID=3219&NewsID=1146.

Monroe County, New York detailed profile - houses, real estate,
agriculture, wages, work, ancestries, and more. . Retrieved June 18,
2008, from http://www.city-data.com/county/Monroe_County-NY.html.

Where are the honey bees? - Wellsville,
NY - Wellsville Daily Reporter. . Retrieved June 18, 2008, from
http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/state_news/x719313197/Where-are-the-honey....