Beekeepers report severe losses

Czech beekeepers have reported that they lost more than a third of their bees over the winter. They estimate the damage will run into more than one hundred million crowns and have called the losses a “catastrophe.” The losses are reportedly down to a warm winter, which allowed a species of mite to decimate bee stocks. Beekeepers have asked the government for assistance, and it has promised 25 million crowns to renew the colonies. However, beekeepers have warned that the new colonies will not be fully established until the following year. Due to large stocks, honey prices are not expected to climb at present.