Declining bee numbers sparks multi million pound investigation

By Christine Lavelle

BEEKEEPERS have welcomed a probe into why numbers of the garden insect have been plummeting in recent years.

Numbers have plunged by as much as 15 per cent over the last two years with fears that the fall could impact on the pollination of plants.

Experts estimate the commercial value of the pollination for producing food at as much as £200m every year.

Now the drop has triggered a £1.8 million research project at the University of Dundee’s Centre for Neuroscience.