As the health of European honey bees and other pollinators continues to be a top priority for scientists around the country, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has introduced a Pollinator Protection web page as a resource for Californians and others interested in the issue.

The web page features links to programs detailing CDFA’s commitment to protecting pollinators in the course of its work controlling and eradicating invasive species.

The site also includes a link to information for beekeepers bringing bees through Border Inspection Stations into California, plus information about permit requirements, county apiary services, and the Africanized honey bee.

CDFA says bees are essential to food supplies in California and around the world. The state’s almond industry requires more than 1.6 million colonies of bees for pollination. 

More than 1.2 million bee colonies, or approximately 2,600 truckloads of bee hives, come from out of state for pollination.

In addition to almonds, bees pollinate roughly one-third of California's crops, including cherries, broccoli, onions, and others.