BUZZING OFF

At least the Colony Collapse Disorder cannot be blamed on cannabis (which journalists are now reporting on much in the style of Hearst's 'Reefer Madness' campaign). Hemp pollen has been found in some honey jars, but very minimally, as it is an apetallous flower which only blooms for a week or two. Evidence points in a number of other directions, such as GM crops, mobile phones, pesticides and over-breeding.

The epidemic is spreading to Europe and South America, and anyone with a desire to live more than four years is worried, but that does not seem to include the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK, which says that they are not worried. Today is election day in the UK, so I hope that voters are and that they are voting out Hard Labour in the local elections. Not sure who to get in, but when DEFRA is the joke that it is, it is time for a change.

For more info on the fate of hymonoptera and Homo sapiens, check out Peter Dearman's excellent article on the web. Then go call DEFRA or whatever government agency is appropriate for you, (in the US, the number is 1-800-DROP DEAD, ask to speak to the 'commander guy').