BBC R4's Farming Today had a piece on bees.

Honey in very short supply this year .... 40% down in parts of the West ...... disastrous in Scotland ..... up to 60-75% down for Scotland and the Borders ...... difficulty meeting wage costs ......

Weather poor for queen mating .... queens laying unfertilised eggs .....

Varroa still the main threat.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06d29d3#play

6 m 50 s in for the bee piece.

G.