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Scientists have found that pesticides harm the ability bees to find food. Bees must learn which flowers contain nectar (their food) from the smell the flowers. If the bees do not learn which scents mean food, they will starve. Researchers at the University of Dundee Scotland and Newcastle University England found that pesticides used farmers and gardeners can switch the part of a bee's brain that is responsible associating smells with food. Lead researcher Dr Geraldine Wright said pesticides could seriously impact the survival honeybee colonies. She said, "bees that cannot learn will not be able to find food". This also means bees will not pollinate crops and wild plants.

Bee populations the world have been declining. Scientists have searched a long time for a reason why so many bees are disappearing. This new research may be an important clue. However, the British government does not want to stop the use the pesticides that may prevent bees learning. It wants to carry more tests to make sure pesticides are the real reason the reduction in the number bees. A spokeswoman the Friends Of The Earth charity said the government must act sooner rather than later. "Bee health is far too urgent to wait more research has been completed. [Controls] should be placed these pesticides until bee safety can be [guaranteed]," she said.