The West Country's bee population is under threat from the
effects of the wet summer. The government's National Bee Unit
has advised beekeepers of a starvation risk and is encouraging
them to leave out emergency supplies of sugar and syrup. Staple
crops that bees feed on such as fruit blossom have been damaged
by heavy rainfall in May and June. Persistent rain can also
prevent honey bees from being able to fly. Last winter colony
numbers in England also fell by 16.2%. If numbers continue to
dwindle it could have a huge impact on the wider food chain. The
British Beekeepers Association says: "Honey bees are important
pollinators and we rely heavily on them for much of the food
that is on our plate in one way or another. All sorts of crops
are pollinated by honey bees, including fruit and many
vegetables."