Bee Facts
Congressman Dennis Cardoza of California: “The importance of bees and other pollinators cannot be underestimated. Nearly 130 different crops – totaling over $15 billion in annual farm gate value – depend on pollination to grow. Simply put, if there are no bees, there is no way for our nation’s farmers to continue to grow the high quality, nutritious foods our country relies on,” Cardoza said. “Testimony today also revealed that the lack of pollinators could further increase food prices. USDA desperately needs to better coordinate their research and response to this ongoing crisis, and more clearly define their needs, so that Congress can adequately respond.” – Reference
PENN STATE Bee Fact: A recent survey by the Apiary Inspectors of America found that losses nationwide topped 36 percent of managed hives between September 2007 and March 2008 – Reference
“How would our federal government respond if 1 out of every 3 cows was dying?” Maryann Frazier, a bee expert at the University of Pennsylvania, asked during testimony to the House subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. Fruits, nuts, seeds and many vegetables are the foundation of California’s $34 billion agricultural industry, the nation’s largest, and the basis of a healthy human diet. About a third of human food requires pollination. The plants cannot grow without it. – Reference
USDA Bee Fact: An estimated 80 percent of crop insect pollination is accomplished by honey bees.
California Almond Board Fact: California grows more than 80% of the world’s supply of almonds and nearly 70% of the crop is shipped overseas. The California almond industry currently requires an estimated two-thirds of the nation’s available bee supply during the short period of bloom every February and March. That need is growing with every new acre of almonds planted in California. Reference (PDF)
Blueberry Grower: “Our business is simple: No bees, no blueberries,” agreed Edward Flanagan, chief executive of Jasper Wyman & Son, a wild-blueberry grower in Maine. “Wild blueberries can’t be planted. Not here, not in Chile, not in China. … We are very scared at the prospect of no pollinating bees for our fields. There is no alternative.” Reference (PDF)
CRS Report for Congress #RL33938: A number of agricultural crops are almost totally (90%-100%) dependent on honey bee pollination, including almonds, apples, avocados, blueberries, cranberries, cherries, kiwi fruit, macadamia nuts, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, onions, legume seeds, pumpkins, squash, and sunflowers. Other specialty crops also rely on honey bee pollination, but to a lesser degree. These crops include apricot, citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangerines, etc.), peaches, pears, nectarines, plums, grapes, brambleberries, strawberries, olives, melon (cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew), peanuts, cotton, soybeans, and sugarbeets. – Reference (PDF)
