Apparently a rise in global prices and disease in British bees is pushing up the cost of honey. Have you noticed the increased prices of Honey? We have honey in our porridge daily and we like to use local honey. We were told, all being hayfever sufferers, that eatting locally produced honey can help hayfever symptons. I know its not hay fever season, but it did actually help, so this is one for you to remember for next year, if you are a hay fever sufferer.

Local honey is perhaps something we have all taken for granted. As more and more now when we are out shopping especially in the supermarkets, most of you will find that most of the honey is from europe. You will have to go to a good deli or farm shop to find a locally produced honey, but well worth it!

British bee keepers could be forced to raise the prices further because of declining bee numbers. Other countries have had things happen also to lower the honey supply too; with poor weather, planting of bio fuels in the pastures and unexplained colony collapses called ‘CCD’ (colony collapse disorder).

According to the honey association 25% of british bee colonies were wiped out last summer.

Some companies have found their own solutions like Fortnum & Mason who have built hives for 200,000 italian honeybees on the roof of their piccadily building.  Some bee keepers believe pollution is a major contributory factor, along with bad weather, insecticides and other diseases like Varroa. Varroa is caused by mites which have become resistance to treatments and are spreading fatal viruses to the bees.

In a normal winter a bee keeper can loose 5-10% apparently, but figures show last year we lost 15% and this year we are seeing 30% loss.

This is having a dramatic effect and alot of beekeepers are giving up this traditional of British roles.

Hundreds of bee keepers marched to downing street on 5th november 2008, as 2 billion british bees have gone missing. They are looking for assistance from the British Government in their fight against the consequences of the modern world on their roles as Bee Keepers. Take a look here for further information British Beekeepers Association

My family love honey and I use it endlessly in cooking, with its great antioxidant properties, superb sweetner, besides being used in endless sauces, marinates etc it would be a great loss to us all to loose our british bee industry.

Whats your favourite honey recipe? and whats your views on the loss of British Bees? Do you think the British Government should assist our British bee keepers? I know I would want them too!