Lawmakers appropriate money for bee research

Concerned with the recent loss of honeybees due to colony collapse disorder, the House Appropriations Committee approved $780,000 to study the disorder. The committee also designated $10 million for bee research. In a House Ag. subcommittee meeting in June, farmers and beekeepers testified about losses in food production that could occur if bee populations continue to decrease. "The importance of bees and other pollinators cannot be underestimated," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif. "Nearly 130 different crops, totaling over $15 billion in annual farm gate value, depend on pollination to grow. Testimony today also revealed that the lack of pollinators could further increase food prices."