Following the worries the wine makers are having with the cold weather – bee keepers also say the spring harvest of honey is under threat as bees are not foraging in the low temperatures.
There had been high hopes when the weather was warm earlier this month. Many beekeepers installed extra floors, known as ‘supers’ in anticipation of a busy spring.
Ther is also a worry of bees swarming as there could be too many for a hive.
That would set back production by another month.
The lack of bees is also worrying as many plants have not been pollinated.
The head of Geneva’s Beekeeping Federation, Pascal Crétard, says the rapeseed flowers have withered and it may be too late for orchard blossom.
He says the pattern of a warm start to the season, and then followed by low temperatures is a sign of climate change and says the lack of spring honey means it will be a difficult year for them.