The Honeybee Crisis: Real Causes and Solutions

It is often difficult to discern between causes and symptoms when looking at an illness. In our culture, viruses, bacteria and parasites are mistakenly seen as the cause for illness, when in reality they are the symptoms of a weakened immune system. When we are really healthy, we can ward off these attacks without a problem. But how often do we aim to get rid of these symptoms with antibiotics, sulfites etc., leaving the cause - a compromised immune system - undisturbed?

At this time of severe honeybee crisis, we must ask ourselves not only which agricultural practices and chemicals contribute to the severe colony losses, but also which beekeeping practices have been developed over the last 150 years that contribute to weakening the immune system of the honeybee. To avoid looking at the beekeeper's part of the problem, we strive to aim at breeding a 'Super Bee', which is able to withstand all the inflictions imposed on her. This is, to my understanding, an illusionary goal! It is time, and of highest importance, to face the fact that beekeeping practices have become as exploitive and mechanized as the rest of agricultural practices and we beekeepers must also bear our own responsibility for the honeybees' plight. Biodynamic, sustainable methods in beekeeping and agriculture offer real solutions.