I am part of the forum in the UK although I live in France. The UK forum suggested I post this here as you guys seem to be so much more affected by CCD at the moment and are, I suspect, able to do more research.
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Needless to say I miss most programmes on CCD out here in France but something came up the other day and I wonder what you all think. If it's already been covered ad infinitum forgive me.
Hubby was talking to the local builder who goes hunting a lot. Suddenly a lot of the hounds and other dogs used started to get ill after hunting and all died within a few days. Local vets and then regional vets were consulted - none of them could work it out and it went on for quite a while, regardless of what particular area they were hunting in. Finally, they found a vet who managed to find a test that worked.
Basically this area has suffered a moderate/bad drought during the last three years. They discovered that chemicals used on crops had built up and with the recent heavy rain had been washed in concentrated quantities into puddles from which these poor dogs were drinking whilst out hunting.
Seems to me that if it can happen to dogs it could happen to bees? We don't provide water for our bees as we have a moat and they can easily drink from there. Perhaps we should be more careful although there hasn't been a problem so far.
Anyway, just interested in your ideas.
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Jean HT
France