No other single animal species plays a more significant role in producing fruit and vegetables than the bee. But there has been global concern about the health of bee populations and the sustainability of the numbers of honey-bee colonies needed to support commercial pollination needs. It is estimated that the demand for pollination will double over the next decade, and the question is will there be enough bee colonies to go around? 

Major threats facing honey bee populations include disease, pollution and insufficient forage in urban environments.

In response, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, working with the Western Cape Bee Industry Association, has devised a strategy to address the challenges in the industry, and prevent any further drastic impact on the honey bee population of the Western Cape.




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