Bees are dying all over the world.

Just imagine if you found a way of killing bees. Bees pollinate: no pollination, no crops: no crops, no food. As you can see bees matter, they're a vital link.

And although there is no suggestion of a conspiracy there is a major and spreading problem with the world's bee population.

Bees do the most. They pollinate all the fruit grown in the UK - particularly raspberries.   Tony Smith.

Beekeepers in London say 50 to 75 per cent of their bees have died and in the US 24 states are affected and 50 to 90 per cent of hives there have gone.

It's happened in Spain too -- the common experience being a total collapse of bee colonies with none or very few left in the hive -- they simply disappear.

No one knows why its happening. Tony Smith, who has been a beekeeper for over 30 years in London told Newshour of his own experience.

Tony Smith, beekeeper.

First broadcast 13th April