Italian beekeepers association
UNAAPI warned of a possible "environmental disaster" on Tuesday
because the long drought and the intense 'Lucifer' heat wave
have upset the nation's bees.
The association stressed that the problem does not just
concern honey production, but was a much broader issue for the
nation's agriculture and environment.
"There is the risk of an environmental disaster in Italy,"
UNAAPI said.
"Driven crazy by the climate, the bees don't just not produce
honey (2017 production down by up to 80%), but they are unable
to provide pollination services to agriculture.
"(Because of the drought) the flowers no longer secrete
nectar and pollen and plants, in particular trees, are in a
perennial situation of suffering.
"The bees are no long sending warnings, but reports of a loss
of fertility and incipient desertification".
Farmers' association Coldiretti Tuesday said the weather
meant Italy's honey production for 2017 will be around 10,000
tonnes, approximately half the average.
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