Call for more EU research on bee/pesticide link

Slovenian agriculture officials have urged the European Commission to initiate more research on the ongoing decline in bee populations, including any possible effects from agrochemicals. The call received support from several EU member states at July's meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers. Slovenia suggested setting up "ecological recovery zones" to allow bee populations to recover. The Commission noted that the results of a study on bee mortality by the European Food Safety Authority ( Agrow No 559, p 8) are due to be issued before the end of the year.