To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Office of Environmental Policy in the US on the causes of colony collapse disorder. (211241)

In May, DEFRA officials met with colleagues from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to exchange views on colony losses. The USDA are continuing their investigations into the causes of colony losses, which may be the result of a combination of factors, rather than a single cause. Contributory factors being considered by the USDA include varroa, poor nutrition, pesticides and secondary viruses.