Bee numbers halve in 20 years

Bee numbers in the UK have fallen by more than half in the past 20 years, according to new research – more than twice the rate in continental Europe.

The country’s bee population dropped by 54% between 1985 and 2005, according to researchers at the University of Reading.

In contrast, bee numbers fell by 20% in mainland Europe.

Earlier this month The Grocer revealed that honey sales had fallen by more than 5% in the past year, following six consecutive years of growth.

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