Much attention has been paid to colony collapse disorder over the past several years as bee populations have plummeted. The pollination provided by bees is crucial to plant growth, and the EU has voted to restrict the use of certain pesticides in an attempt to curb colony collapse. Iain Keith of the Avaaz environmental group said,
"Today's pesticide ban throws Europe's bees a vital lifeline. Europe is taking science seriously and must now put the full ban in place to give bees the breathing space they need."
