A record federal estimate of 3.8 million honeybee colonies in 2022 has stirred debate among beekeepers and conservationists.
Rebecca Raney reports for U.S. Right to Know.
In short:
- The USDA's 2022 bee census estimated 3.8 million colonies, a 35% increase since 2017, but beekeepers contest this figure as inflated.
- Beekeeping advocates argue that overestimations hinder funding for bee health, while agrochemical companies use these figures to downplay pesticide concerns.
- The USDA acknowledges methodological differences and potential biases due to high nonresponse rates in their surveys.
Key quote:
"Every year, for like the last 20 years, we’ve been [at] 2.5, 2.6 million hives. . . . There’s been hardly any margin of error on that 2.5 million.”
— Chris Hiatt, president of the American Honey Producers Association
Why this matters:
Accurate bee colony counts are crucial for addressing threats to bee populations, which are essential for pollination and food security. Disputes over these numbers can impact public perception and policy decisions regarding pesticide use and conservation efforts.
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