在美国及其他地区，蜂群的数量面临日趋严峻的威胁，并正在降至危险水平。蜜蜂等传粉者的缺失，会对全球食物供应造成灾难性影响。根据联合国环境署的估计，提供了全球90%食物供应的100种作物中的71种，需要通过蜜蜂传粉。在美国，价值超过200亿美元的作物，每年都需要通过蜜蜂传粉。根据美国养蜂人的报告，他们每年平均损失为40-50%，个别甚至高达100%。

英文原文：Study Finds Glyphosate Affects Honeybees 

Glyphosate (commonly called Roundup) is a broad-spectrum herbicide used in conjunction with the crops genetically engineered to be resistant to it. A new study using field-realistic doses of glyphosate on honeybees has found that it impaired the insects' learning behaviour and short-term memory retention. The scientists concluded that glyphosate represented a threat to long-term colony performance, as exposed bees would bring it back to the hives. 

Bee populations in the US and elsewhere are facing increased threats, with populations declining to worryingly low levels. The loss of pollinators like the honeybee will have disastrous effects on the global food supply. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that 71 of the 100 crops that provide 90% of the world's food supply are pollinated by bees. In the US, more than $20 billion worth of crops annually depend on bees for pollination. Beekeepers in the country are reporting 40-50% annual losses on average, with some reaching 100%.   

因为可以喷洒草甘膦，美国农民已经放弃了人工除草和对除草剂的限量使用。因而在过去10年里，这种化学品的使用量增加了5.27亿磅。一项由美国国土调查局进行的研究发现，在他们所调查中西部的大小河流中，有70%都能发现草甘膦。（详情请见“救救蜜蜂,救救人类的食物生态体系 ” http://www.shiwuzq.org/portal.php?mod=view&aid=462）

（本文由食物主权志愿者万澍翻译）