f30.
The causes of ‘colony collapse disorder’ are as yet unknown. Suspected contributory factors include exposure to neonicotinoids, parasites, modern beekeeping practices, diseases carried by verroa mites, loss of appropriate habitat, climate change and fungal infection. See, e.g., CCD Steering Committee, “Colony Collapse Disorder Progress Report”, US Department of Agriculture, June 2009, available at www.extension.org/mediawiki/files/c/c7/CCDReport2009.pdf .